Now this is painful -- TMZ has learned, "Relationship Rehab" producers approached Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt to work out their issues on the show ... and the couple flat-out rejected their offer.

Speidi's reasoning -- they're actually on great terms ... and don't have any issues to work out.

Sources close to Speidi tell us, the couple was initially intrigued -- thinking the show was actually about working out together ... as in yoga, or something like it. They had no idea it was for couples with real issues.

We're told the couple felt the money wasn't great either, so they passed on the show. Spencer and Heidi turning down a chance at spotlight ... we're speechless.

For a second it seemed to be 2009 all over again, as once famous famewhores Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (Speidi, anyone?) pretended to not know they were being photographed as they did something -- in this case, act all lovey dovey while skiing down a mountain -- on Thursday.

Seeing "The Hills" dynamic duo again makes one feel really thankful for the "Jersey Shore."

Spencer Pratt is telling friends he DOES NOT owe hundreds of thousands of dollars to his former agent, despite reports to the contrary ... because he's NEVER had an agent!!!

TMZ spoke with sources close to Pratt ... who tell us the couple worked with a lawyer when they were negotiating their deals for "The Hills" back in the day ... but they never involved an agency. We're told Spencer insists the lawyer was paid IN FULL.

We're told Spencer is now studying political science at USC ... and at the moment, he isn't actively pursuing work in Hollywood.

As for Heidi, one source told us she DOES have an agent -- whom she pays -- and she currently has "a couple of projects in the works."

Heidi Montag reminded every one she still exists last night, hosting her birthday party at Vanity Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Miss her much?

Crystal Harris needed to take her mind off her canceled wedding ... so she partnered up with fellow blonde Heidi Montag to host a pool party at WET REPUBLIC in Las Vegas yesterday.


These photos are 100% Spencer free. 

Crystal Harris is headed to Las Vegas this weekend to party her troubles away -- and it all came about because Heidi Montag invited her. 


Sources close to Harris tell TMZ ... Heidi reached out to her shortly after the breakup with Hef to offer her moral support. Bottle blondes need to stick together! 

The pair decided to spend what would have been Crystal's wedding day in Las Vegas. They couldn't just go to Sin City on the down low -- instead they are hosting a party at WET REPUBLIC pool at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

So instead of wearing a wedding dress today, Crystal will be sporting a bathing suit. Men everywhere applaud the decision.

Virgin Mobile spoof couple "Sparah" just turned the tables on Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag -- telling TMZ, feuding with Speidi is a GIANT waste of time ... because the former "Hills" stars are not even real celebs.



As we previously reported, Pratt went on the rampage recently -- calling "Sparah" a blatant rip-off ... and demanding Virgin Mobile pay him and Heidi money for bogarting Speidi's likeness in their new commercials.

But reps for "Sparah" -- the spoof celeb couple who stars in Virgin Mobile's new ad campaign -- tell us, Virgin's new duo has zero time to respond to Spencer's diatribe "due to their pressing endorsement commitments with Virgin Mobile and their frequent interactions with real celebrities."

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fakest of them all?

Spencer Pratt is furious at Virgin Mobile -- telling TMZ, the cell company's new celeb couple spoof "Sparah" is blatantly copying Speidi ... and now he wants Virgin to start paying up for using his likeness.



If you haven't seen the commercials ... Virgin Mobile's new ad campaign is built entirely around a fake Hollywood couple called "Sparah" -- a mashup of the names Spencer and Sarah -- and Pratt is pissed he and Heidi have become the target of a national joke ... with no paycheck to show for it.

According to Spencer, Speidi's getting ripped off -- telling us, "They should being paying for using our likeness. It's obvious they are trying to be us."

Pratt doesn't stop there -- adding, he and Heidi "hate" Sparah ... "It's nuts how much [Virgin is] promoting them, when they are obviously copying us."

Attempts to reach Virgin's celeb couple were unsuccessful -- but we're guessing ... "Sparah has no comment."

Spencer Pratt is persona non grata on set at Heidi Montag's new show "Famous Food" ... TMZ has learned -- in fact, we're told producers are so serious ... they issued an all out ban on the reality star.



Sources connected with the restaurant-themed VH1 reality show tell TMZ, Spencer's been banned from the set since day one -- and Heidi herself AGREED to the injunction.

We're told producers were adamant ... Spencer wasn't allowed on the set, near the set, or to be involved in any way whatsoever -- and not wanting bad blood ... Heidi agreed to keep her man at bay.

We're told Spencer has behaved himself so far -- but we're not getting our hopes up.

Here's former White House party crasher turned failed "Real Housewives of DC" star Michaele Salahi, 45, running on the beach in San Diego the other day (left) -- and former "Hills" Barbie doll Heidi Montag, 24, back in 2009 (right).



Both are eerily lifelike.

We're just sayin'.

As if there weren't enough problems in the Middle East ... TMZ has learned Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are about to get on a plane bound for Abu Dhabi.


Spencer tells TMZ, their bad ass friend -- MMA fighter "King" Kevin Casey -- will be throwing down at the Abu Dhabi Martial Arts Tournament on April 14 ... and they'll be ringside cheering him on.

Spencer adds, “Heidi and I are both so excited to visit the Middle East and even more thrilled to watch King Kevin Casey smash his opponents.”

No word on when the couple is expected to return ... but please, we insist ... no rush.