The Real Housewives of Cheshire's Dawn Ward on growing up in Bolton and why she loves coming back

Congratulations on the success of Real Housewives of Cheshire, people seem to be enjoying it – what response have you had?

Generally the response has been really positive and quite scary how many people are watching it. It’s very strange for someone like me who has never been in the public eye to suddenly be recognised and asked for autographs and pictures.

I don’t think I will ever quite get used to that but its nice!

Were you nervous at all signing up to appear in the show?

I think anybody signing up to any reality TV show will naturally be a little bit nervous and have their reservations, but when a big brand like the Real Housewives approached me I thought, "if you’re ever going to sign up to any show, now’s the time".

And I’ve got to be honest, I’m really happy that I did.

Have you had any negative feedback and how do you deal with it?

I actually haven’t had that much negative feedback, I’ve been quite overwhelmed with the support.

Because I’m quite a full-on character and I’m a little bit like Marmite, a lot of the time when people meet me, to start with they are not very sure but when they get to know me they get to know that I’m not that bad.

I’m an honest person and will always stay loyal to my friends and family. But I have to say I’ve had the most amazing positive feedback.

Where are you from in Bolton, where did you grow up and which school did you go to?

I’m originally from Salford, that’s where I was born. I then moved to Bolton at around eight years old.

I lived on Hunger Hill and went to Deane Primary then onto Deane High School.

How do you think your roots influence who you are today?

I was brought up in a working class family and my dad is the youngest of 20, my mum the eldest of seven.

I was taught to appreciate the value of money and that to be successful in life and have nice things you have to work hard.

I have watched my own parents do that and I’ve seen both the good and bad times, and learnt never to take anything for granted.

Everything that I am as a person I owe to my parents. I have the best parents ever.

I am an only child and my mum and dad made me very independent and always told me never to give up.

Everything that’s good in my personality and my work ethic attitude is definitely owe to my parents.

My husband and I work extremely hard to enjoy a nice lifestyle for us and our lovely children. 

What are your memories of growing up in Bolton and do you ever visit?

Memories from growing up in Bolton include going to the chippy for pea wet and a pasty on a barm with my friends from school.

I love Bolton - I remember nights in Rockafellas on a Friday night under 16s.

I’ve got some fantastic memories and still have some great friends there.

I actually had a business in Bolton for a number of years, a care home. I still today go back to Bolton, I was there the other week visiting my friend Sonya up at Fanny’s bar (Heaton).

I really love going back and always have a really good time.

I think it’s the dry northern sense of humour that all the locals have – I love it.

Lauren Simon appeared to slate Bolton in the show’s adverts by saying ‘You don’t choose to go and live in Bolton’, what did you think of that?

Listen — Lauren’s a nice girl and she doesn’t mean any harm. Sometimes she says things without thinking and it makes my toes curl.

It’s not really something I would have said but a lot of the time with Lauren it’s very tongue in cheek.

She says things sometimes for the shock factor.

But do I think she meant it or meant any harm or insult? I hope not.

When did you first realise you had a talent for interior design?

Interior design, regardless of whether you have qualifications, have been to college and trained as a designer, it comes from within — you’ve either got it or you’ve not.

I started off building houses and developing properties and from there I was asked by a client to do some furnishings for them, then that property led on to another property then a third and, before I knew it, I had to take on more interior staff because I was getting very busy and that’s where I am today.

Now I employ some of the country’s best designers and architects and my portfolio includes projects completed, not only in the UK but across Europe.

It’s hard work but I truly am living the dream! 

What is the best thing about living in Cheshire? And the worst?

The best thing about living in Cheshire is it’s beautiful and very rural, the people are lovely, it’s got great restaurants and I’ve got some really great friends here.

Regardless of me working all over Europe and spending probably 50% of my time in central London, I do love coming back up north and home to Cheshire.

To be quite honest I can’t think of anything negative to say about it.

Do you have any charity events coming up and why are they important to you?

In 2009 my youngest daughter Aston was born prematurely and had pneumothorax (her lungs burst) and spent two weeks on life support.

We finally got her home at four-weeks-old and carried on life as normal.

Then when she was 16 weeks old she contracted streptococcus meningitis.

We were told she had less than a 50 per cent chance of survival and, if she did, there was 85 per cent chance of brain damage, deafness and blindness.

I found myself praying for brain damage but please don’t let her die.

We were so fortunate she came out of hospital with no side affects, so it was then I thought I really want to make a difference.

Some people experience what we went through but don’t have the same positive outcome and we feel so blessed.

I will continue the rest of my life trying to make a difference to unfortunate children’s lives and their families.

My next charity event that I will be hosting will be in June for Caudwell Children at Bolesworth Castle.

I am a committee member for the charity and really believe in what they do. It’s a great day and evening for all the family.

Then, in September, I will be hosting my annual ball, Creme de la Creme, at my home. Sponsors and table sales are welcome.

You and Leanne Brown (wife of Sunderland footballer Wes) seem to be the closest, what is it you like about her?

Leanne is one of my closest friends, we have been friends for 12 years and will be until the day we die.

She’s extremely loyal and always tells you what she thinks, she’s got a beautiful heart and if you ever have a problem she’s always there.

Her biggest quality is that she is very fair.

Leanne and I argue from time to time and if she doesn’t agree with something then she will always tell me, but the one thing about our friendship is that we say what we say and move on, never holding a grudge and we have actually never fallen out in over 12 years.

I love the girl to bits.

What do you think of the "wag" label and the negative connotations that can come with it?

I don’t really have a problem with the wag label and I find it quite flattering because at my age – 41 – to be labelled a wag I mustn’t be doing bad because all these girls are very glamorous, gorgeous young women.

So for me to be labelled as a wag is a bit of a compliment.

I’m not the type of person to worry about negative comments.

I always think everyone is entitled to their own opinion so I tend not to home in on people’s negativity.

I know the person I am and I work very hard and the most important thing in my life is my children and family.

Would you like to see the show return for a second series?

Of course I’d love to see the show return, that would mean it’s been a great success and it’s been fantastic working on it.

The viewing figures have been really good and when I’m old and wrinkly, I can tell my grandchildren “you know I was in a really big TV show”.

I love to be part of a success story.

Have you got any other projects in the pipeline?

I have lots of work projects in the pipeline and am really busy working in London, Cheshire, Spain and the South of France.

I am going to be launching my soft furnishings and accessories range in the next couple of months so watch this space.

The Real Housewives of Cheshire is on ITVBe tonight at 10pm