PHOTOS: GETTY
L
ast month, Dawn Ward
revealed she was leaving
The Real Housewives Of
Cheshire after appearing
on the show since it launched
six years ago. In an emotional
statement, she told fans she’s
focusing on her family and
plans to concentrate on projects
with them.
Now, in her first interview
since her announcement, Dawn
tells me that while it was a
difficult decision to make, she
feels excited about the future.
“I wish every single person
who’s involved in the show the
very best,” she says. “I’m 100%
the biggest fan in the UK and it
will always hold a special place
in my heart.”
It’s clear to see just how
much the show means to her,
with Dawn nearly in tears when
she chats about filming her final
scenes. But, as we enter a new
year, the reality star says she is
ready for a fresh chapter.
She admits that spending
quality family time in lockdown
with husband Ashley, 50, and
their four daughters Darby, 24,
Taylor, 22, Charlie, 13, and
Aston, 11, made her realise
what she wants from life – but
she assures me it’s not the last
we’ll see of her.Here, the 47-year-old lifts the
lid on the highs and lows of 2020
and fancying her hubby more
than ever. Over to you, Dawny...Hi Dawn! Why was it the right
time for you to leave The Real
Housewives Of Cheshire?
I sort of spoke about it during
lockdown and I realised what
was important to me. And
what’s important to
me, as most
people know, is
my family. It’s
very difficult
when you’ve
been on a
show for so
long, but I
just thought,
“I want to do
more things with
my family.”
Was it a hard decision?
Yeah. When you’ve done
something for so long, it’s hard,
but actually I feel great. I’ve had
an amazing response from the
public. That’s probably one of
the big reasons I loved the show
so much – the fans are amazing- and I couldn’t have worked
with better people. I’m eternally
grateful. If I had my time again
I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve
left wanting every single cast
member and
the production
team to
continue to
smash the show.
I want them to go from
strength to strength.
What was the reaction to
your departure like?
Incredible. When I decided to
announce it and did the post,
I spent the next four hours
crying my eyes out and then
again on my last episode. It was
so beautiful that I finished the
show where I started it. I started
on the show with my family and
my last scene was with my
family. I’ve even choked upnow! It’s been my baby all these
years. I would never ever want
to say anything negative about
anybody or anything on that
show because I will be tuning
in every Monday night – I won’t
miss an episode.
Did you speak to any of the
cast before you announced
the news?
No, I didn’t tell anybody. I just
spoke to Monkey Kingdom [the
show’s production company],
ITV and my immediate family.
They’ve all been amazing and
they’ve all wished me well.
It’s been so lovely. It probably
would have been easier if
everyone was horrible to me.Ashley is
a former
footballerDawn with Ashley,
their daughters and
Darby’s fiancé‘I’m eternally
grateful for
The Real
Housewives’
Reality star Dawn Ward on leaving
The Real Housewives Of Cheshire and how
the pandemic has shifted her priorities