The King of Queens couldn't live without his queen — even in his new kingdom!

Actor Kevin James couldn't wait to kill off his TV bride, actress Erinn Hayes, on his new sitcom, Kevin Can Wait, so he could reunite with his real-life comedy crush Leah Remini, sources revealed exclusively to RadarOnline.com.

"Kevin's been sweet-talking Leah into joining Kevin Can Wait for months. When she finally said yes, he got rid of Erinn," an insider told Radar.



The sitcom star, 52, was happily hitched to former model Steffiana De La Cruz for nearly 14 years, and they had four children.

But on-set spies said James still had a soft spot for 47-year-old Remini — who played his TV wife on Queens for nine seasons !

"They have a great working chemistry, and Kevin's always had a crush on Leah," the source revealed.

"He loves it when she tells him off — just like a real-life wife!"



Although James harbored no ill will toward 41-year-old Hayes, he felt Kevin Can Wait was missing the electricity he'd shared with famed ex-Scientologist Remini, according to insiders.

"Together Kevin and Erinn were just a yawn. His crush on Leah is real and it comes through in their performances," spilled a source.

Since Remini signed on, James had been floating around the set like a love-struck schoolboy, insiders claimed.

"He loves having Leah there, and her wise-a** attitude," the source told Radar. "It's hilarious how he lights up when she tells him off!
"The magic of The King of Queens is back!"

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