Most people remember the Chawner sisters from their chaotic appearances on The X Factor during one of its most controversial eras.
But behind the viral auditions and tabloid headlines lies a story far more complicated — one filled with family breakdowns, personal battles, estrangement, grief, and a surprising amount of resilience.
That X Factor Moment Everyone Talked About
Back in 2007, Emma Chawner took her shot at stardom by singing Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On on The X Factor.
But instead of praise, she was hit with harsh critiques — Simon Cowell, blunt as ever, told her the dress was “completely wrong” and that she simply couldn’t sing. She left in tears.
Not one to give up easily, Emma returned the following year with her sister Samantha to perform Hero by Mariah Carey.
Unfortunately, the feedback was even worse, with Cowell calling it “twice as bad” as the year before.
Despite public ridicule and zero success in the competition, the family became minor celebrities in their own right, thanks to several controversial TV appearances that followed.
Making Headlines for All the Wrong Reasons
In 2010, the family appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s Big Fat Challenge after being labelled “too fat to work.”
At the time, their combined weight reportedly exceeded 90 stone.
The show followed their attempts to lose weight as they tried to change public perception.
But in 2013, more controversy hit when it was revealed the family had claimed over £340,000 in benefits between 1995 and 2013.
The backlash was fierce, and public opinion turned again.
Family Drama Played Out on Jeremy Kyle
By 2015, the family were on The Jeremy Kyle Show, where mum Audrey confronted her estranged children after walking out unexpectedly.
She claimed she had been living in a bedsit for two months and regretted leaving, but her children weren’t ready to forgive.
In one particularly surreal moment, Audrey demanded the return of her Manchester United scarf — of all things.
Neighbours From Hell?
The Chawners appeared again in 2016 on Channel 5’s Nightmare Neighbours, with reports that they’d racked up hundreds of complaints in Greater Manchester.
Neighbours cited everything from loud singing to TV noise and public arguments.
They were eventually evicted from their home in Ramsbottom after 130 formal complaints.
Emma claimed the eviction was unfair, saying a neighbour was in tears to see them go.
Sisters Who No Longer Speak
Over time, things only grew more strained within the family.
Emma and Samantha, who once shared a dream of stardom, are now reportedly estranged.
Samantha got married in 2024, but Emma and their father Philip were noticeably absent.
Their falling-out seems to have happened post-pandemic, with Samantha moving to Bolton to be with her husband Matthew. The sisters have not been seen together publicly since.
A Weight Loss Journey Fueled by Heartbreak
Emma has been open about how her mother’s departure in 2016 sent her spiraling.
By 2020, she revealed she had ballooned to 28 stone.
But then she turned things around — she began losing weight, ditched snacking, drank more fluids, and shared her progress with followers.
She eventually lost over 16 stone and proudly showed off her transformation online.
Samantha also had a weight-loss milestone of her own, shedding 10 stone to fit into a size 22 wedding dress for her big day.
Grieving Both Parents in the Same Year
In early 2024, the sisters lost their mother Audrey, who passed away in her sleep at age 73.
Emma shared the news on Instagram, and Samantha later said she had reconciled with her mum shortly before her death, calling it a moment of peace between them.
Tragically, that December, Emma lost her father Philip too — he died from a heart attack at 69.
Emma, who also lost her beloved dog the day after her mother’s death, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs, describing herself as now completely alone.
In the heartfelt post, she wrote, “At this time it’s really hard for me… I only just lost my mum back in January this year… I don’t have any family left.”
Life After the Limelight
Once known mostly for their X Factor rejection, the Chawner sisters’ story has become something much deeper.
Fame came fast and cruel, and what followed was a whirlwind of weight struggles, media scrutiny, family disputes, and eventually, heartbreaking loss.
Today, both Emma and Samantha have taken separate paths.
Emma remains active online, proudly sharing her weight-loss journey and snippets of her daily life.
Samantha, now married, seems to have stepped away from the public eye.
Their bond may be fractured, but their stories continue to resonate — not for their auditions, but for their raw humanity.