It's the type of bitter row that has gripped Desperate Housewives fans over the years.

Except this time there is no script.

Actress Nicollette Sheridan is suing the TV show's creator for £13.2million after alleging he slapped her across the face and later fired her for complaining about his violent behaviour.

The British-born star, who played sexy estate agent Edie Britt, claims her dismissal by Marc Cherry from the popular series lost her 'millions in future earnings'.

Miss Sheridan, 46, saw her character killed off last year after being one of the original women to take up residence in the fictional Wisteria Lane in 2004.

She has launched a $20million lawsuit against Cherry alleging assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful dismissal.

Nicollette Sheridan left the show last year and is alleging that she was slapped around the face

Miss Sheridan, whose contract stated she must be paid between £80,000 and £160,000 per episode, said Cherry was known on set for his 'abusive and aggressive' behaviour.

The lawsuit says matters came to a head in September 2008 after she questioned him over the script.

Miss Sheridan claims she tried to meet Cherry privately 'in an effort to discuss his negative demeanour toward her and to discuss whether he had a problem with her work,' the lawsuit says.

It continues: 'When Sheridan questioned Cherry about something that was in the script, Cherry took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head.'

Tension behind the scenes: Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry with (from left) Terri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Sheridan, Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards

Surprise exit: Sheridan's character Edie Britt was extremely popular, but was killed off in a car accident last year

Don't be fooled by the smiles: Sheridan alleges Cherry 'forcefully hit her' after she questioned him over the script

Stunned by the blow, Miss Sheridan shouted back: 'You just hit me in the head. That is not okay. That is not okay,' according to the lawsuit.

Miss Sheridan, who also starred in Knots Landing, says Cherry later went to her trailer to 'beg forgiveness' after she reported him to executives at ABC TV.

The actress insists she felt 'apprehension of imminent physical harm' for the rest of her time on the show, which is screened by Channel 4.

The documents filed at Los Angeles Superior Court also reveal the Sussex-born actress was not the only cast member Cherry allegedly had a grudge against.

After a clash with Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, Cherry is alleged to have said: 'I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies'.

Four months after the alleged slapping incident in February 2009, Miss Sheridan was told her character was being written out and her contract terminated.

'The decision to kill off Sheridan's character demonstrates that Cherry and ABC intended to and did retaliate against Sheridan for her complaints about Cherry,' the lawsuit says.

'Grudge': Cherry is alleged to have also clashed with actress Teri Hatcher

It notes that although some of the male characters were killed off, 'none of the female characters had ever before been killed off or written out of the show'.

A spokesman for ABC said: 'While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit.'