“Obviously for me and Dawn it’s going to be an ongoing process. We’re never going to be friends like we were,” Leanne told Manchester Evening News. “It’s really sad, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster and it’s not a nice situation to be in, but it’s one that’s happened. You can’t turn the clocks back, through no fault of my own.”
Leanne insists the fall out is not because of reality television, although things came to a head between the two girls after a dispute over the arrival of fellow WAG Misse Beqiri to the group at the start of series three of the ITVBe reality series.
“What happened would have happened eventually anyway with or without the TV show. Maybe certain things have been heightened a bit more quickly because of the show, because of the Misse situation,” said Leanne. “She always felt like I spoke out for Dawn, but I decided not to do that anymore, and that was the turning point, the minute I said 'no you are wrong', I think she expected me to agree on everything, it spiraled on from there.”
Dawn says it has been the hardest season yet for her, having been involved in the show since the first season in 2015.
“That’s the thing with the housewives it’s very real, and me and Leanne have been friends for a long time so obviously it’s upsetting when you fall out with someone you’ve been friends with for so long,” said Ward. “But s*** happens, I am upset, I’m still upset. I’ll always be there for Leanne. Our relationship will never be the same but on a positive note I’ve made new friends on the show.”
Meanwhile Stacey Forsey added that the tensions have run throughout the group, saying: “It’s been hard for everybody, there are changes in friendships and it’s very real and very raw.”
Returning housewives alongside Dawn, Leanne and Stacey will be Ampika Pickston, Lauren Simon, Seema Malhotra and Tanya Bardsley, who will be joined by new cast member Ester Dee.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire Season 5 premieres on Monday, March 27 at 10:00pm on ITVBe
Photo Credit: ITVBe
