Reality TV fans, buckle up—because the queens of chaos are officially back.
As The Real Housewives of Cheshire marks its tenth anniversary, ITV is bringing back the glitter, gossip, and grudges that made the show so deliciously addictive in the first place.
And yes, that includes the return of the show’s most polarizing diva: Dawn Ward.
Forget quiet comebacks. Dawn’s return is the stuff of soap opera dreams—she literally jumps out of a giant cake wrapped in a red velvet ribbon, shouting, “The Queen of Cheshire is back!” And just like that, the show’s most infamous pot-stirrer is reclaiming her throne.
The WAGs Who Reign Supreme
For the uninitiated, The Real Housewives of Cheshire follows a glamorous group of women—many of them footballers’ wives—as they sip champagne, swap insults, and occasionally do some charity work (in between cosmetic tweaks, of course).
Think luxury handbags, Botox, and epic blowouts served with a side of English countryside posh.
Since it first aired, the show has earned its place in the British reality TV hall of fame, with feuds that rival anything the US versions could cook up.
Dawn Ward was at the heart of it all from 2015 to 2020—stirring the pot, flipping the script, and sparking more fallouts than an EastEnders Christmas special.
Dawn Ward: A Return That’s Already Stirring Trouble
After leaving under a cloud of controversy to start a new life in Dubai with husband Ashley Ward (a former footballer turned property tycoon), Dawn is back—and let’s just say, not everyone’s thrilled.
Behind the scenes, her reappearance has reportedly caused more than a few Housewives to break out in cold sweats.
According to insiders, Dawn’s reign was intense. Some castmates suffered from anxiety during her time on the show, calling the environment “toxic.”
Dawn, however, seemed to thrive in the chaos. “She loved it all,” said one insider.
A Fallout That Still Simmers
No drama looms larger than her epic bust-up with Leanne Brown—once her closest friend and now her biggest rival.
The pair were inseparable before the show began, even holidaying together with Leanne’s then-husband, footballer Wes Brown.
But things went downhill fast. The real cause of the fallout has never been officially confirmed, but whispers of a £500,000 loan from Leanne and Wes to Dawn that went unpaid for some time added fuel to the fire. The result? A shattered friendship and one of the show’s most talked-about exits.
Leanne has been candid since, admitting that the feud almost broke her mentally. She later divorced Wes after 25 years, downsized her home, and reinvented herself as a wellbeing coach. These days, she insists she’ll never speak to Dawn again.
Sparks Are Set to Fly in Series 18
Both Leanne and Dawn are confirmed for the new series—and the tension is already thick in the Cheshire air.
Sources say Dawn only signed on after learning Leanne was already coming back, suggesting this might be less about nostalgia and more about old revenge.
Unlike in the past, producers haven’t gone out of their way to pad the cast with Dawn’s allies. Translation? Expect fireworks.
Plenty of the women she clashed with—like former bestie Lauren Simon—are also back in the mix.
Behind the Glam: Dawn’s Legal and Financial Troubles
Dawn might be returning to screens, but she’s doing it without the luxury estate that once gave her clout. Warford Hall, the £6.5 million mansion she shared with her family, was a main filming location and a bargaining chip with producers.
But mounting debts—including over £60,000 in unpaid bills and multiple county court judgments—forced her to sell it.
And that’s just the financial drama. Dawn also faced legal issues, including a conviction for assaulting singer Sinitta during a restaurant row in 2015, and charges of racially aggravated harassment and cocaine possession in 2022 (she was cleared of those charges).
Ampika’s Controversial Comeback
Another original cast member making headlines is Ampika Pickston.
She made waves after leaving RHOC in 2017, launching a care home for vulnerable girls with funding from her billionaire fiancé, former adult entertainment mogul and West Ham owner David Sullivan.
But things quickly spiraled. The care home was suspended twice by Ofsted due to serious safeguarding failures, and is currently shut down.
Ampika, who previously sold explicit content on OnlyFans, is now appealing the closure amid claims she threatened a staff member. She denies the allegation.
The Supporting Cast Returns—With Baggage
Tanya Bardsley, beloved for her bold opinions and warmth, is also back. While generally well-liked, she clashed with Dawn due to her loyalty to Leanne.
Then there’s Lauren Simon—a walking headline herself—whose explosive divorce, ghost stories, and courtroom battles have kept her in the limelight.
Her legal war with a lending firm over unpaid legal bills continues to simmer.
The Stage Is Set for the Ultimate Reality Showdown
With so many returning faces—and unresolved issues—the 18th series of The Real Housewives of Cheshire is shaping up to be its most explosive yet.
Old grudges, new alliances, and a whole lot of designer drama are guaranteed.
So grab the popcorn, because if you thought the last ten years were wild, you haven’t seen anything yet.
