01 February 2023 , 18:59
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Below Deck's Captain Lee teased the comeback of Bravo icon Kate Chastain as he praised his "best chief stew ever" - before hinting at her reality show return.
She quickly made a name for herself after appearing on the hit-series for the first time in 2014, lasting six seasons out at sea before quitting the programme.
Now expecting her first child, the Stud of Sea told fans to "never say never" over her return to Below Deck following her pregnancy announcement.
Lee was replying to a Twitter thread in which one viewer called his favourite crew member "very disingenuous" - sparking a fiery response from the captain.
Kate is one of Captain Lee's favourites (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)In her defence, Lee said: "She was my best chief stew ever, but you are entitled to your opinion. But I still love Kate." Later hinting at her yachting return.
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One follower replied: "Kate is a straight shooter. Doesn’t pussyfoot around anything. She was one of the best. Her and Lee vibe very well together and they have the utmost respect for one another."
Another wrote: "I miss Kate. I’ll never forget the blanket phallic arrangement. I laughed so hard. Keep up the good work Captain Lee. Your public awaits."
Known for her iconic "resting b***h face", she departed the hit-reality programme in 2020, later appearing in spin-off Galley Talk alongside co-star Josiah Carter.
She appeared in six seasons of Below Deck (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)Speaking after watching season eight of the show, the first in which she didn't appear, she described seeing Captain Lee as "like seeing my ex".
At the time she told Decider: "I can't wait to see how Captain Lee handled it in my absence. I need to know who brought him his Cheerios and how his pants were ironed."
Taking to Watch What Happens Live, Captain Lee previously admitted: "Kate is always going to have a very, very sweet spot in my heart, because we worked together for a long period of time.
"And she was my right hand. There was nothing I couldn't delegate to Kate that I could just pass it off and walk away from it, and know it was gonna get done."
Lee has since teased at Kate's comeback (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)It was announced earlier last year that Kate was expecting her first child in May 2023.
"I am absolutely thrilled to become a mother," she told PEOPLE. "It's something I've always hoped for so this is truly a dream come true!"
"I'm already planning so many birthday theme parties for you," she wrote in a recent Instagram post, showing off her growing baby bump.
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