The brouhaha that has erupted on the set of “Desperate Housewives” over former cast member Nicollette Sheridan’s lawsuit, charging show creator Marc Cherry with assault, arose out of a bit of stage business, The Post has learned.

Show sources say that during the fifth season — Sheridan’s last — the actress was rehearsing a scene in which her character, Edie Britt, needed to deliver a stage slap to another character. When Sheridan (left), 46, did not perform up to expectations, Cherry gave her a demonstration of how to handle the fake slap.

“She didn’t get it, so he showed her how to do it — on her,” said the source.

Sheridan’s former cast members were expecting the actress to stew over the so-called incident following her exit from the series. Edie Britt was written out of the show last spring; the character died in a car accident.

Sheridan, who has been cast in a CBS comedy pilot opposite Paul Kaye, is seeking $20 million. In addition to assault, the actress is suing for wrongful termination and gender violence.

ABC released this statement: “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.”