E! picks up 'The Simple Life' for new season

The Simple Life will return for a fourth season after all, it has been confirmed.

The future of the reality show was put in doubt earlier this year after its two stars, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, had a public fallout and broadcast network FOX axed the series.

Now the show has found a new home at E!, which will air the new, ten-episode season - titled The Simple Life: Till Death Do Us Part - from the Spring. The network has also picked up the rights to repeat the first three seasons.

"We are thrilled to welcome Paris, Nicole and The Simple Life to E!," said Ted Harbert, president and CEO of E! Networks. "The addition of this huge comedy hit to our schedule will continue to distinguish E! as the leader in entertainment, celebrity and pop culture television."

In the new season, the pair will take turns playing the traditional role of wife and running a household. There will be cooking, cleaning and all the other duties required to make a house a home.

In addition, as "wives," Paris and Nicole will have responsibility for the children, and each family will ultimately decide which of the heiresses is a "keeper".

E! is thought to have paid around $700,000 (£400,000) an episode for the series.