Tanya Bardsley says she now feels ‘the best I’ve ever been’ (Picture: Rex)
The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star and model Tanya Bardsley, 41, on her return to the show, the Qatar World Cup, loving sleep, and how a traffic jam saved her life.
Where are you today?
I’m in my bedroom because we’ve got so many builders downstairs. I’m having a new kitchen. I think I’ve put the fear of God in them – ‘I need this kitchen by Christmas!’
What made you decide now was the right time to rejoin The Real Housewives Of Cheshire in this spin-off series? Did the words ‘luxury cruise’ swing it?
I’ve actually got a fear of water and boats so it wasn’t really that. The girls started in San Francisco and they were doing three days straight on the boat. I said, ‘No chance.’ I would throw myself overboard right away.
I joined in Mexico and the boat didn’t really move. But I am converted to cruises. It was unbelievable. I’ve never been on one before.
What bad experiences have you had on water?
Well, my dad was in the Army and we were based in Germany. We couldn’t afford to fly so we used to go on P&O Ferries from Germany to England. I used to hoik up in napkins and plastic bags. It was brutal, awful.
We were actually supposed to be getting on the one that sunk [the Herald of Free Enterprise owned by Townsend Thoresen, sunk on March 6, 1987, with 193 fatalities] but we just missed it. We were stuck in traffic. I think that has always stuck in my mind as well.
How luxurious are we talking with this cruise?
It was like a luxury Trafford Center on the sea. It’s unbelievable. And, of course, it’s all inclusive and I do love a buffet. I think I must have put nearly a stone on but I enjoyed eating every pound of it.
Were you nervous about seeing everyone again? Had you kept in touch since you had to leave for your health in series 14?
I’ve only really spoken to Lystra [Adams], just the odd comment on social media. I had to take myself fully out because I had the breakdown [she suffered a seizure and collapsed on a photo shoot in 2021 through stress caused by overworking].
From left, Housewives Of Cheshire cast Hanna Kinsella, Lystra Adams, Rachel Lugo, Nicole Sealey, Katie Lennicks, Seema Malhotra and Sheena White (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty)
I thought I had to go back to basics and start building myself up again. When I got the call for this… I am now back in a really good place mentally, it’s probably the best I have ever been, to be honest. I just thought, ‘God, yeah, get me out there.’
How is your eldest son, Rocco, getting on at Stoke City U15s since his ADHD diagnosis and being able to take medication?
He’s actually captain now. He’s flying. It’s really good. We were going through a terrible time with him. He was going to be let go so the medication is doing wonders.
I can’t take the medication. I don’t know whether it’s because the medication has just been male-based because women have a lot of hormones going on but I have to stick to all the natural stuff.
More: Sixty Seconds
As a footie-obsessed family – your husband Phil plays for Stockport County – how did you feel about the World Cup?
I just couldn’t bring myself to watch it. I was so furious for my gay and LGBT+ friends. It dampened it all. I think it was disgusting where it was. We should have protested more when the decision was being made [to hold the tournament in Qatar].
Tanya’s husband, footballer Phil Bardsley (Picture: Mike Petch/Stockport County/PA)
Your good friend DJ Fat Tony has been very vocal in his criticism of the event. How did you and Tony meet first?
I can’t remember where it was but because of the ADHD I don’t drink a lot and he doesn’t drink. He was like my earth angel guiding me through it. He’s such an adorable soul. He rings to check I’m OK, like when I was going through my breakdown.
If I ever write a book I’m going to call it Last Night A DJ Saved My Life because he really did in those dark times that I had with his tough talking. You know what he’s like, ‘You’re not f***ing drinking are you, you c***?’ I’ve got a potty mouth but he beats me.
The straight-talking DJ Fat Tony (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Can you tell us anything that might surprise people?
My favorite hobby is sleeping. Phil calls me Half Bed-Half Mattress. My little mind is working so hard when it’s awake. It doesn’t stop so at night it likes to conk out. I put my ear plugs in. Phil doesn’t even snore really.
My room has to be freezing so the air-con is on. Poor Phil is blue next to me but it doesn’t matter as long as I can sleep.
My happy place is my bed. It’s even got a dent on my side and it’s a bit orange-y as well because of my fake tan.
Tanya knows the importance of getting a good night’s sleep (Picture: Bob Grey/Backgrid)
Is this a one-off return to the Housewives Of Cheshire?
I don’t think I could go back full-time but I love every minute of being with them. Two of my kids are in football academies and their schedules are intense. It’s hard to have a social life, a marriage, football kids and then to film and to have my businesses.
But this show will properly give you a giggle before Christmas. That’s what I love about it. It is some good northern humour. Proper belly laughs. I didn’t stop laughing from the time I got on there until the time I got off.
The Real Housewives Of Cheshire: Christmas Cruising is on Mondays at 9pm on ITVBe and ITVX
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