We’ve seen plenty of iconic cast members come and go since The Real Housewives of Cheshire first hit our screens in 2015 – and yes, it really has been ten years since the show first aired – but one name that will forever be synonymous with the show is Dawn Ward.
And, look (real talk now) as much as we still adore the show ten years later, it's just not been the same since Dawn walked away from Cheshire during the pandemic.
The reality star starred in every episode of the first 12 seasons of The Real Housewives of Cheshire and had more incredible one liners than we can count. Although some of them are immortalised forever, here, so do take a look.
Dawn decided to leave the show at the end of 2020 to focus on her family. Soon after that, she uprooted her life to Dubai and just like that, her Cheshire chapters were closed for good. Or so we thought...
Show bosses recently confirmed Dawn's return to the series and fans are naturally, elated. According to the show's official Instagram, she has joined the cast for series 18 as part of the ten-year anniversary series alongside fellow OGs Tanya Bardsley, Leanne Brown, Ampika Pickston and Magali Gorré. And Lauren Simon, obv.
This is not a drill, people. Here comes the queen...
Who is Dawn Ward?
Dawn is a reality star best known for appearing on The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
How old is Dawn Ward?
Born on 16 July 1973, Dawn is currently 51 years old. That makes her a Cancer, FYI.
Where is Dawn Ward from?
Dawn was born in Salford and grew up in Bolton. She lived in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with her family for years before relocating to Dubai after quitting The Real Housewives of Cheshire, although she has clearly been spending some time back in recent weeks.
When did Dawn Ward join Real Housewives of Cheshire?
Dawn is one of the OG Real Housewives of Cheshire cast members, having appeared in the show from its conception in 2015 along with Tanya, Leanne, Ampika, Magali and Lauren.
Why did Dawn Ward quit Real Housewives of Cheshire?
In December 2020, Dawn revealed that she had made the difficult decision to leave the hit reality show after series 12 finished airing, in order to spend more time with her family.
Taking to social media to explain her decision she said, 'Having been on the Real Housewives of Cheshire for almost 7 years & 12 seasons, I've had the most incredible journey, not just me, but my whole family. It really has been amazing for us.'
She continued, 'Season 12 has now come to an end and filming has finished. It's been difficult this season with the pandemic but the cast and our amazing production team have pulled it off again, it's been fun!
'Everyone who knows me knows I'm all about my family, so I've decided that after 12 seasons on the show I would like to concentrate on projects with them.'
Dawn thanked ITV, Monkey Kingdom (the production company behind the show) and fans for all their support, wishing them the best of luck as they continue onto series 13.
'Exciting times ahead ❤️❤️,' she finished.
Naturally, the Housewives flooded the comments to show support for Dawn with Nicole commenting, 'You will be missed wishing you lots of luck for the future hope your new journey is exciting and happy ❤️❤️❤️.'
Fellow housewife Rachel Lugo, who joined RHOC in series 6, even took to her own Instagram to post about how she will miss Dawn.
Is Dawn Ward returning to Real Housewives of Cheshire?
Yes. Show bosses recently confirmed that Dawn Ward has been filming scenes for the ten-year anniversary season.
Taking to Instagram, they said, 'That’s right! When we told you Series 18 was gonna be one for the books we weren’t lying! We can FINALLY reveal that The Real Housewives of Cheshire OG Dawn Ward @dawnward4 is OFFICIALLY returning to the show to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary! 🥳
'And we cannot wait for you all to see it!'
In a separate grid post, they wrote, 'Ask and you shall receive 😉 We are so happy to finally reveal that Dawn Ward is returning to The Real Housewives of Cheshire Series 18 to celebrate the ICONIC 10 Year Anniversary! 😱.
'We cannot wait for you guys to see EVERYTHING that Dawn got up to with our ladies this time around and it will be nothing short of I-CON-IC!!! 💥.'
What's happened between Lystra Adams and Dawn Ward?
When we chatted with series legend Lystra Adams ahead of the Christmas special, The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Christmas Cruising, she remained rather tight-lipped when we brought up Dawn.
Knowing that Lystra is still very good friends with returning OG Housewife Tanya we asked her, 'Speaking of ex Housewives, are there any others you still keep in contact with? Maybe Deborah Davies or Dawn Ward?'
This response was telling. Lystra exclusively told Closer Online, 'Me and Debbie are still in contact, but I don’t speak to anybody else.'
We love a deafening silence.
To be fair, we're not exactly surprised by this; Lystra is besties with Tanya who has had a rather turbulent relationship with Dawn over the years (understatement of the century).
Are Dawn Ward and Tanya Bardsley still friends?
When we asked Tanya flat outright whether she still speaks to Dawn, she said she didn't. So there you have it, Dawn and Tanya are definitely no longer pals. But will they come face-to-face for ten-year anniversary series?
Who is Dawn Ward's husband?
Dawn married former Blackburn Rovers footballer, Ashley Ward, at St Michael's Church in Middleton on 2 June 1995.
The couple regularly post gushing tributes to each other on social media and are clearly still very loved up after almost three decades of marriage.
How many children does Dawn Ward have?
Dawn is mum to four daughters, Darby, Taylor, Charlie and Aston.
Darby Ward is a social media influencer and country singer, who married Mr Whippy ice cream boss and her baby daddy, Michael Corrado Jackson in 2022.
Dawn's second oldest daughter, Taylor, secretly married her fiancé, Manchester City footballer, Riyad Mahrez, in January 2022 in a Muslim ceremony known as the Nikah, signing a contract making them legally wed under Islamic law.
Their second wedding ceremony took place at The Londoner Hotel in September 2023. They were joined by the closest friends and family, including their daughter Mila and Riyad's two children from a previous relationship.
As well as Mila, Dawn is also grandmother, to eldest daughter Darby's little girl, Skye.
Does Dawn Ward live in Dubai?
Dawn currently lives in Dubai.
At the time of her move, a source told The Sun, 'Dawn has said goodbye to Cheshire for now and is setting up home in Dubai.
'She is hoping to launch her hugely successful interior design company there. She’ll be in Dubai full time for a while and then will be travelling back and forth between her two homes.
'It’s a really exciting time and Dawn can’t wait to get to work there.'
Are Leanne Brown and Dawn Ward friends?
Despite originally being close on the show, former Real Housewives of Cheshire co-stars Leanne and Dawn Ward have been feuding for years after Leanne gave £500,000 to Dawn and her husband Ashley back in 2018 which has still, allegedly, not been repaid.
Leanne Brown spoke out about her feud over money with Dawn to Closer magazine.
She shared, 'Our friendship has gone down the pan. I won't ever speak to Dawn again. I don't trust her and, when someone has hurt you that deep, there is no going back.'
She added, 'The feud is still ongoing. It was very upsetting - and still is now.'
Their drama was also one of the main reasons as to why Leanne left the show.
What is Dawn Ward's job?
Dawn earns a living as an interior designer. She also owns a rug brand called The London Rug Company.
Controversy surrounding Dawn Ward
In October 2020, Dawn was accused of racially aggravated intentional harassment towards two Jewish brothers, Jake Jacobs and Sam Jacobs, at Euston Railway Station.
The mum of four was also charged with possession of a class A drug - namely cocaine.
Both of the above charges carry the potential of six months in prison or an unlimited fine.
Dawn has denied the charges and at the time tweeted, 'I vehemently deny these allegations and look forward to clearing my name in court when the full facts can be made public. Thank you for all the overwhelming support, it really means a lot.'
Dawn Ward's court case
In 2022, Dawn broke down in tears as she was cleared by a jury of racially abusing two Jewish brothers at Euston station. She was accused of using anti-Semitic slurs against Jake and Sam Jacobs at the train station in October 2019.
She told Inner London crown court that the allegations were untrue, suggesting instead that she had been on the receiving end of abuse for her 'Botox face'.
After a two-week trial, a jury found her not guilty of two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress as well as an allegation of cocaine possession.
The verdict ended a two-and-a-half year saga, which began on October 29, 2019 when Dawn was arrested and held overnight in a police cell.
She shared a statement after the verdict was announced on Instagram, captioning it, "Thankfully it’s over 🥲🥲🥲🙏🙏."
Does Dawn Ward have Instagram?
Yep. You can follow her @dawnward4.