Seventeen-year-old Taylor, who plays once-sweet and innocent teen Little J, was (suspended from the show at the end of 2010 — officially for creative reasons; unofficially for her apparent bad behaviour. Project Runway’s Tim Gunn labelled her a “diva” and a “brat” after he guest-starred on Gossip Girl!

It’s kind of ironic that a racy teen drama would ditch a teen actress for racy real-life behaviour?

Anyway, Taylor isn’t the only star to be dropped from Gossip Girl’s permanent line-up: Jessica Szohr, aka Vanessa, has also been let go. However, both actresses have been invited back as “guest stars”, so maybe you haven’t seen the last of their characters.

Blake Lively (Serena), Leighton Meester (Blair), Penn Badgley (Dan), Ed Westwick (Chuck) and Chace Crawford (Nate) are all confirmed to return for season five.

Gossip Girl star Connor Paolo has his fellow cast member’s back.

Speaking to TV Line, the actor who plays Eric delivered a message for critics of his embattled co-star and on-screen sort-of-sibling, Taylor Momsen: Just back off!

“She’s 17 years-old,” Connor said. “I don’t think anyone has the right to say anything negative, being that she – as mature and self-possessed as she is – is still young.”

“It’s not fair. No one has a right to attack someone of that age.”

Read more of what Connor has to say about Taylor and how much he misses her over at TV Fantaic

“I probably am a bad influence. The other day this reporter brought his 12-year-old daughter to an interview. She was looking at me, open-mouthed, like: ‘I want stripper shoes, Daddy!’ He hated me!
“I’m not saying, ‘Be like me. I hope girls read what I say in interviews – they should just be themselves. They wouldn’t want to be like me. I’m crazy. I’m [expletive] out of my mind. I’ve been told I was out of my mind since I was 11.”

February 11 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
February 12 San Diego, CA Soma Sidestage
February 14 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch
February 17 Austin, TX Stubbs
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