Dawn Miller
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Dawn Swann is a fictional character from the
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
soap opera ''
EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a British television soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London, the ...
'', played by
Kara Tointon Kara Louise Tointon (born 5 August 1983) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Dawn Swann in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. In 2010, she won the BBC competition series ''Strictly Come Dancing'', and in 2015, she appeared a ...
, who first appeared on 26 September 2005. It was reported on 26 March 2009 that Tointon and co-star
Ricky Groves Richard Groves (born 23 April 1968) is an English actor best known for playing Garry Hobbs in ''EastEnders'' from 2000 to 2009, before making a brief return in 2025. Before his role in ''EastEnders'' he appeared in the series ''Burnside (TV se ...
, who plays
Garry Hobbs Garry Hobbs is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Ricky Groves. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000, alongside the Slater family. It was announced on 26 March 2009 that Groves and co-star Kara ...
, would be written out of the soap and the character made her final appearance on 27 August 2009. Dawn has been described as a
tart with a heart The "hooker with a heart of gold" is a classic character archetype, portraying a courtesan or sex worker who embodies virtues like kindness, generosity, and integrity, despite her morally complex profession. This figure often serves as a contrast ...
character. In 2007, the character was involved in a storyline where Dawn was kidnapped and held hostage by
Dr. May Wright Dr. May Wright (often referred to by the media as "Mad May") is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Amanda Drew. May appears in the series between 25 September 2006 and 25 June 2007, and again between 6 and 18 ...
(
Amanda Drew Amanda Drew (born 21 December 1969) is a British actress from Boston, England, with extensive credits in theatre, television and film. Biography One of four children, Drew was born in Boston. Drew's mother was a nurse and her father was a vicar ...
) and Rob Minter ( Stuart Laing); their intention being to give her a forced caesarean section and take the baby. Originally, the storyline would have included a child abduction; however, due to the real-life suspected kidnapping of a 3-year-old girl,
Madeleine McCann Madeleine Beth McCann (born 12 May 2003) is a British missing person, who at the age of 3 disappeared from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal, Lagos, Portugal, on the evening of 3 May 2007. ''The Daily Telegraph'' ...
, who went missing in the Algarve in May 2007, the BBC removed the child abduction from the scripts.


Creation

In June 2005, an official BBC press report announced the upcoming arrival of the character — Dawn Swann, a member of the Miller family: "Dawn Swann is
Mickey Miller Mickey Miller is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Joe Swash. He first appeared on 15 April 2003 as a guest character. Mickey proved popular and the executive producer Louise Berridge made him a full-time mem ...
's (
Joe Swash Joseph Adam Swash (born ) is a British actor and television presenter from London, best known for his role of Mickey Miller in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'' and various presenting roles with ITV2. He won the eighth series of '' I'm ...
) sister. Aged 23, Dawn has been travelling for the last few years and is currently living in France where Mickey goes to see her. A real charmer with a touch of the ''
Footballers' Wives ''Footballers' Wives'' is a British television drama about fictional Premier League football club Earls Park F.C., its players and their wives. It was broadcast on ITV from 2002 to 2006. The show initially focuses on three very different coupl ...
'' about her, she oozes charisma and sex appeal." It was revealed that Dawn was to be played by actress Kara Tointon. Of her new role, Tointon said, "''EastEnders'' is my dream job and I feel blessed with this opportunity. Dawn is sexy, independent and has this amazing wardrobe — I can't wait to start filming." The character was introduced in September 2005, in a special week of off-set episodes, filmed on location in France. In the storyline, Mickey travelled to France to meet Dawn and discovered that she is living with their estranged father
Mike Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documen ...
— a conman who ultimately lets his family down and flees, resulting in Dawn's return to Walford. Upon moving to Walford, Dawn immediately conned the residents of
Albert Square Walford is a fictional borough of East London in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. It is the primary setting for the soap. ''EastEnders'' is filmed at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, towards the north-west of London. Much of the location work i ...
to fund her breast enhancements. As Dawn's breast size is bigger than Kara's, the actress is required to wear gel-filled padded bras and "chicken fillets".


Development


Characterisation

Dawn has been described as the soap's "
tart with a heart The "hooker with a heart of gold" is a classic character archetype, portraying a courtesan or sex worker who embodies virtues like kindness, generosity, and integrity, despite her morally complex profession. This figure often serves as a contrast ...
" character. Discussing her character, Tointon told the ''
Sunday Mirror The ''Sunday Mirror'' is the Sunday sister paper of the ''Daily Mirror''. It began life in 1915 as the ''Sunday Pictorial'' and was renamed the ''Sunday Mirror'' in 1963. In 2016 it had an average weekly circulation of 620,861, dropping marked ...
'' in October 2005, "I love playing Dawn. She's so flirty and confident — nothing fazes her and she knows how to flutter her eyelashes and make the men do whatever she wants." Tointon has suggested that she models Dawn on model Jordan aka
Katie Price Katrina Amy Alexandra Alexis Price (''née'' Infield; born 22 May 1978) is an English media personality and model. She gained recognition in the late 1990s for her glamour modelling work, including on Page 3 of the tabloid newspaper ''The Su ...
. She said in 2008, "My character is so optimistic. She is a girl who believes in herself and says what she thinks. But sometimes I read the script and think, 'Oh no' - so I look at the way Jordan reacts to stuff. No matter how bad things get, nothing seems to be a problem for her - everything is positive. I’ve watched her on TV and thought, 'Good luck to you, that's how Dawn should be'. It would be great if Dawn was as successful as she is, though."


Love triangle and pregnancy

Dawn's first prominent storyline began airing in 2006, when she started dating a married man, Rob Minter ( Stuart Laing), and fell pregnant with his baby. In a plot twist, Rob's wife, Dr
May Wright Dr. May Wright (often referred to by the media as "Mad May") is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Amanda Drew. May appears in the series between 25 September 2006 and 25 June 2007, and again between 6 and 1 ...
(
Amanda Drew Amanda Drew (born 21 December 1969) is a British actress from Boston, England, with extensive credits in theatre, television and film. Biography One of four children, Drew was born in Boston. Drew's mother was a nurse and her father was a vicar ...
), was unable to conceive, facilitating a storyline that saw her attempt to buy Dawn's unborn baby. Over Dawn's pregnancy, a series of events were aired in which Dawn was conned into believing that she and Rob had reunited, when he was really conspiring with May to get custody of the baby and prevent Dawn aborting it. Plots saw the character May grow increasing erratic and obsessed with the unborn child, until the climax in June 2007, when Dawn was kidnapped and held hostage by May and Rob, their intention being to give her a forced caesarean section and take the baby. The storyline received focus in the British media at the time, due to a reported last-minute rewrite of scripts. Originally, the storyline would have included a child abduction; however, due to the real-life suspected kidnapping of a 3-year-old girl,
Madeleine McCann Madeleine Beth McCann (born 12 May 2003) is a British missing person, who at the age of 3 disappeared from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal, Lagos, Portugal, on the evening of 3 May 2007. ''The Daily Telegraph'' ...
, who went missing in the Algarve in May 2007, the BBC removed the child abduction from the scripts. They commented, "It was felt any storyline that included child abduction would be inappropriate and could cause distress to our viewers." Originally, it was intended for Dawn to give birth to a baby and then have the child snatched by May, leaving Dawn bereft. On-screen, May's plan to take Dawn's baby failed when Dawn had her arrested.


Relationship with Garry Hobbs and departure

An
unrequited love Unrequited love or one-sided love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such by the beloved. The beloved may not be aware of the admirer's deep affection, or may consciously reject it knowing that the admirer admires them. Me ...
storyline was featured in Dawn's narrative. Garry Hobbs, played by Ricky Groves, continuously attempted to woo Dawn, to no avail. In October 2008, Tointon revealed that she wanted to see Dawn and Garry unite as a couple: "Fingers crossed as I really enjoy working with Ricky Groves. My mum wants
hem A hem in sewing is a garment finishing method, where the edge of a piece of cloth is folded and sewn to prevent unravelling of the fabric and to adjust the length of the piece in garments, such as at the end of the sleeve or the bottom of the ga ...
to get together. And people come up to me on the street and they’re all rooting for
hem A hem in sewing is a garment finishing method, where the edge of a piece of cloth is folded and sewn to prevent unravelling of the fabric and to adjust the length of the piece in garments, such as at the end of the sleeve or the bottom of the ga ...
I think Dawn is coming to realise that Garry has been the one rock who is always there." In March 2009, it was announced that Tointon, along with Groves, had been axed from the show, as producers had decided not to renew her contract. Tointon said she was excited about her exit storylines, but was also reportedly upset by the axing, saying "I was heartbroken when they told me and I have to admit I did cry. I just have to dust myself down and get back out there. I've already told them that if they do plan to kill Dawn, I will refuse to close my eyes in the dying scenes." She said she felt sad for Dawn after hearing she would embark on an affair with Garry's boss,
Phil Mitchell Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother, Grant ( Ross Kemp), sister, Sam ( Danniella Westbrook/ Kim Medca ...
(
Steve McFadden Steve Robert McFadden (né Reid; born 20 March 1959) is an English actor whose career has spanned three decades. He rose to prominence for his role as longstanding character Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'', which he has ...
), but understood that it was probably right for her contract to not be renewed, as she hadn't had many storylines in 2008, saying "you can only go as far as your storylines take you." Following the axing, executive producer
Diederick Santer Diederick Santer (born 3 July 1969) is a British television producer and is best known for his work on the popular BBC television soap opera ''EastEnders'', a post which he assumed on 23 October 2006 and left on 1 March 2010. He was Chief Execu ...
said, "Dawn and Garry have some fantastic stuff to come — this spring and summer sees their love truly put to the test — and they go with our thanks and very best wishes." After the exit was aired, Tointon said she did not think it was very good: "Well it was interesting on the boat. Well... it was better than leaving in a black cab. When I watched it, I didn't think it was very good. But I did my best." She later admitted that the show's producers were probably right to axe the character and she was getting annoyed that Dawn did not learn from her past mistakes. Dawn made her final appearance on 27 August 2009.


Storylines

Dawn had a complicated start in life. Her father,
Mike Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documen ...
(
Mark Wingett Mark Christopher Wingett (born 1 January 1961) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as PC/DC Jim Carver in ''The Bill'' and ''EastEnders'' as Mike Swann, ''Hollyoaks'' as Frank Symons and '' Heartbeat'' as Terry Molloy. Actin ...
), deserted her when she was six. She left home at 16, disapproving of her mother
Rosie Miller Rosie Miller is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Gerry Cowper. Her first appearance was on 6 September 2004 and she was axed in 2006, with her final scenes airing in July 2006. Rosie is the mother of Mickey ...
(
Gerry Cowper Geraldine Cowper (born 23 June 1958) is an English actress who is best known for playing Lisa in ''Only Fools and Horses'' and Rowan Morrison in the 1973 horror film ''The Wicker Man'' and Rosie Miller in ''EastEnders''. In the mid-1980s she t ...
) for her relationship with her partner Keith (
David Spinx David Spinx (born 25 April 1951) is an English actor, probably best known for playing Keith Miller in the BBC television soap opera ''EastEnders'' from 2004 to 2008. He had previously appeared in ''EastEnders'' as a guest character in an episode ...
). In 2005, she reacquainted herself with Mike in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
. She moves to
Walford Walford is a fictional borough of East London in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. It is the primary setting for the soap. ''EastEnders'' is filmed at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, towards the north-west of London. Much of the location wor ...
after Mike's property scam fails, and lives with Rosie. Claiming she needs money for a medical operation, she cons her neighbours into paying for her
breast implants A breast implant is a prosthesis used to change the size, shape, and contour of a person's breast. In reconstructive plastic surgery, breast implants can be placed to restore a natural looking breast following a mastectomy, to correct congenital ...
. Mike comes to Walford, and when his mother
Nora Nora, NORA, or Norah may refer to: * Nora (name), a feminine given name People with the surname * Arlind Nora (born 1980), Albanian footballer * Pierre Nora (1931–2025), French historian * Simon Nora (1921–2006), French politician Place ...
(
Pamela Cundell Pamela Isabel Cundell (15 January 1920 – 14 February 2015) was an English character actress. She played Mrs Fox in the long-running TV comedy ''Dad's Army''. She was a descendant of Henry Condell, one of the managers of the Lord Chamberl ...
) dies, she leaves £5,000 to Rosie. Mike persuades Dawn to pose as Rosie to get the money, and tells Dawn they will start afresh in
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, but he takes the money and leaves alone. After a failed attempt at a modelling career, Dawn finds employment as a barmaid.
Ian Beale Ian Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Adam Woodyatt. He is one of four remaining original characters, the others being his mother, Kathy Beale ( Gillian Taylforth), his long standing best friend an ...
(
Adam Woodyatt Adam Brinley Woodyatt (born 28 June 1968) is an English actor. He is known for his role as Ian Beale in the BBC One, BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', a role he has portrayed since the show's inception in 1985, making him one of the shows longest ...
) employs her in 2006, paying her to pose as his wife to impress business associates. During a function, she meets Rob Minter ( Stuart Laing) and they begin dating. She knows he is separated but Rob ends their relationship when his wife
May Wright Dr. May Wright (often referred to by the media as "Mad May") is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Amanda Drew. May appears in the series between 25 September 2006 and 25 June 2007, and again between 6 and 1 ...
(
Amanda Drew Amanda Drew (born 21 December 1969) is a British actress from Boston, England, with extensive credits in theatre, television and film. Biography One of four children, Drew was born in Boston. Drew's mother was a nurse and her father was a vicar ...
) wants to give their marriage another chance. Dawn discovers she is pregnant with Rob's child and plans to have an abortion. May, who is unable to conceive, asks Dawn to sell her the baby for £19,000. Dawn agrees, taking extravagant gifts and money in the process, but never intends to give the baby to May, and when Rob rebuffs her advances, she again plans to have an abortion. In order to stop her, May forces Rob to reignite his affair with Dawn, their real plan being to take the baby after Dawn gives birth. Rob eventually cracks under the pressure of the deception, confessing May's plan. In revenge, Dawn tries to force a miscarriage, but is unsuccessful. Rob is forced to prioritise, and leaves May for Dawn. May plays numerous vengeful tricks on them, getting Rob sacked, restricting their money, and evicting them from their flat. However, Rob and May team up again, and Rob proposes to Dawn, suggesting they move away. He takes her to an empty house where she is handcuffed to a bed and is held hostage while May plans to perform a
caesarean section Caesarean section, also known as C-section, cesarean, or caesarean delivery, is the Surgery, surgical procedure by which one or more babies are Childbirth, delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen. It is often performed because va ...
. Dawn escapes after attacking Rob and returns to Walford, but goes into labour on the
London Underground The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or as the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent home counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire in England. The Undergro ...
, later giving birth to a girl,
Summer Summer or summertime is the hottest and brightest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centred on the summer solstice, daylight hours are the longest and darkness hours are the shortest, with day ...
. While Dawn recovers in hospital, May sneaks into her room and tries to abduct Summer but Dawn catches her. Despite Rob's pleas, Dawn refuses to take him back, and May is arrested while attempting to see Summer. Dawn struggles with parenting initially, leaving the care of Summer to her family, unable to accept the responsibility of being a full-time mother. Her friend
Garry Hobbs Garry Hobbs is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Ricky Groves. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000, alongside the Slater family. It was announced on 26 March 2009 that Groves and co-star Kara ...
(
Ricky Groves Richard Groves (born 23 April 1968) is an English actor best known for playing Garry Hobbs in ''EastEnders'' from 2000 to 2009, before making a brief return in 2025. Before his role in ''EastEnders'' he appeared in the series ''Burnside (TV se ...
) proves a strong ally, helping Dawn care for Summer. She is happy to accept his help, but he decides to propose during a trip to Brighton, and she turns him down. Dawn also hit it off with a local shopkeeper named Matt. Garry walked in on them getting cosy in the hotel room, but Matt ran a mile when he realised Dawn had a baby. It soon transpires that local resident
Jase Dyer Jase Dyer is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Stephen Lord between 19 July 2007 to 29 August 2008. The character and his casting was announced mid 2007. Lord, in his first role, began filming for ''EastEnde ...
(
Stephen Lord Stephen Lord (born 1 October 1972) is an English actor, known for playing Jase Dyer in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' from 2007 to 2008 and Dominic Meak in the Channel 4 comedy drama series, '' Shameless'', between 2012 and 2013. In 2021, ...
) has also shown a romantic interest in Dawn; both men compete for her attention and she chooses Jase, devastating Garry. Jase proposes in June 2008 and she accepts; however, when Dawn starts favouring Summer over his son
Jay Brown Jay Brown (also Mitchell) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Jamie Borthwick. He made his first appearance on 14 December 2006. Jay's storylines since joining the programme have included being part of a ...
(
Jamie Borthwick Jamie Simon Borthwick (born 23 June 1994) is an English actor. He rose to prominence for his portrayal of Jay Brown in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', in which he has starred since 2006. His role on ''EastEnders'' earned him a British Soap A ...
), whom she clashes with on many occasions, Jase postpones the wedding. In the midst of their arguing, Dawn is shocked to discover that May has returned, having had psychiatric treatment. Jase has unwittingly been working for May under her pseudonym Jenny, part of her renewed plan to steal Summer. May breaks into the Millers' house, knocks Dawn's brother
Mickey Mickey is a given name and nickname, often a short form (hypocorism) of Michael, Michaela, and Michelle, and occasionally a surname. Notable people and characters with the name include: People Given name or nickname Men * Mickey Andrews (bor ...
(
Joe Swash Joseph Adam Swash (born ) is a British actor and television presenter from London, best known for his role of Mickey Miller in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'' and various presenting roles with ITV2. He won the eighth series of '' I'm ...
) unconscious and locks Dawn in her bedroom, accusing her of being a bad mother. During a scuffle, Dawn breaks her ankle and May attempts to leave with Summer but Mickey intervenes. Devastated, May deliberately causes a gas explosion, killing herself. Mickey and Summer get out, but Dawn passes out from the smoke. She nearly perishes, but Keith enters the burning building and carries her to safety. At the hospital, Dawn thanks Keith for his heroics and they reconcile after she learns from him that May is dead. While her ordeal with May is over at last, Dawn struggles to settle her financial future with Jase. This soon forces Jase to work for his former gang boss, Terry Bates ( Nicholas Ball), in order to satisfy Dawn's monetary desires. When she discovers that Jase is involved with Terry's gang, Dawn makes no attempt to stop him - desperate as she is for money to finance her dream wedding. The situation climaxes on Dawn's hen night, when Jase is set up by Terry, who stabs him before he and his gang are eventually arrested. Jase later dies in hospital. Dawn, who has realised that materialistic things are unimportant, discovers Jase's death on the wedding day. Jay blames Dawn for his father's death and rejects her. Dawn is distraught and turns to Garry for support, offering sex to him in a moment of vulnerability, but he turns her down. Dawn nearly leaves Walford following Jase's funeral, but Garry convinces her to stay and so she moves in with him. Jay continues to antagonise Dawn, posting petrol soaked rags through her letter box. At first Dawn angrily confronts Jay, but her guilt fully emerges after Jay again states that she is the reason Jase worked for Terry and is therefore responsible for his death. Dawn eventually manages to convince Jay that she loved Jase and thinks of Jay as family, so they call a truce. At some point, Garry again proposes to Dawn. She reacts unhappily as she is still distraught about Jase, and Garry is left downbeat by this. He later steals a car and flees. The police soon find the car abandoned by cliffs in
Dover Dover ( ) is a town and major ferry port in Kent, southeast England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies southeast of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. ...
, prompting them to speculate that Garry has committed suicide. Dawn believes she is in love with Garry and declares this at his memorial service, only to be startled when he walks in. He gives her an ultimatum: be his girlfriend or he will leave Walford for good. Choosing the former, Dawn becomes his girlfriend and they agree to make plans for their wedding after dealing with Terry's trial for Jase's murder. She gives evidence and Terry is eventually found guilty, being sentenced to life imprisonment. After finally getting justice for Jase's murder, Dawn starts her wedding plans with Garry. However, she embarks on an affair with his boss
Phil Mitchell Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother, Grant ( Ross Kemp), sister, Sam ( Danniella Westbrook/ Kim Medca ...
(
Steve McFadden Steve Robert McFadden (né Reid; born 20 March 1959) is an English actor whose career has spanned three decades. He rose to prominence for his role as longstanding character Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'', which he has ...
). Their secret is soon discovered by Minty, and Dawn is unnerved when Minty promises to tell Garry unless she tells him quickly. Instead, she resolves to spare Garry's feelings and goes to stay with her mother for a while. When Dawn returns, she resumes her affair with Phil until he eventually ends their relationship. Minty again threatens to tell the truth when Garry suspects that Dawn doesn't love him. Garry and Dawn talk, and they announce their engagement at The Queen Vic. Just as Garry prepares to marry Dawn, however, Minty reveals her affair with Phil. Heartbroken, Garry punches Phil and then confronts Dawn for cheating on him with his boss. He then jilts Dawn, quits his job, and decides to leave Walford for good. Dawn is persuaded to go after him, and sees him sailing off at a canal. She runs alongside telling Garry that she loves him. Dawn is initially regretful when Garry states that he is leaving Walford anyway, but then surprises her by proposing that she and Summer come with him - thereby implying that he still loves her. Dawn agrees, and he lets her and Summer on the boat. As they sail out of Walford together, Garry and Dawn kiss while their observing friends say goodbye. During a brief return from Mickey on 9 December 2024, it is revealed that Dawn now works alongside himself and their mother, Rosie, at their family business of eco-friendly B&Bs in the
Cotswolds The Cotswolds ( ) is a region of central South West England, along a range of rolling hills that rise from the meadows of the upper River Thames to an escarpment above the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. The area is defined by the bedroc ...
, Miller's Villas. When Garry and Minty return on 12 February 2025 for Billy and Honey's joint stendo, Minty reveals that Dawn and Garry had been travelling the world with Summer for a few years but have since split up due to Dawn wanting a more stable life for her and Summer.


Reception

In June 2007, 80 people complained to the BBC following the airing of a storyline that saw a pregnant Dawn chained to a bed by Dr May Wright, with her intention being to give her a forced Caesarean section. It has been noted by the media that no specific warning about the content of the episode was given by the broadcaster; however, a continuity announcer said before the episode began, "Dramatic EastEnders now on BBC1 - it's misery for poor Dawn as mad May puts her evil plan into action." A BBC spokesman said, "Last night's episode involving the characters Dawn, May, and Rob reached the climax that many viewers would have been anticipating. We are sorry if some people were offended by this drama unfolding, and will be addressing complaints fully in due course." It was stressed that of the typical 9 million viewers who watched ''EastEnders'', only 80 people complained. However, ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' reported that 200 viewers complained, 183 complaints to the BBC and a further 12 to the media regulator,
Ofcom The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, internet, telecommunications and mail, postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-rang ...
. The episode garnered an average audience of 8.9 million viewers and a 42% share to BBC1. For her role as Dawn, Tointon was nominated for "Best Actress" at the 2007 ''Inside Soap'' Awards. Tointon was awarded the "Sexiest Actress" in 2008 for her role as Dawn Swann; it was the second time she won the award. Tointon was also nominated for a
National Television Award The National Television Awards (often shortened to NTAs) is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and begun in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted o ...
in 2007 for "most popular actress". In 2009, Ruth Deller of entertainment website lowculture.co.uk, who runs a monthly feature of the most popular and unpopular soap opera characters, criticised Dawn, branding her as a 'spare part', also stating: "There is a fair bit of dead wood in Walford at the moment, and most of it is centred around Garry, Minty and their associates. Of all of those, Dawn serves the least purpose. With no family in the square and with Jay living with Billy rather than her, isn't it time she was sent away for some happy ending or other? If she can take Garry with her, so much the better." Upon Dawn's exit, Deller once again criticised her stating: "Thankfully, after several years of hanging around being spare parts (was Dawn ever anything other than a spare part?), Garry and Dawn departed this month in the least plausible exit scene ever." In September 2012, ''
Inside Soap ''Inside Soap'' is a weekly soap opera and television listings magazine published in the United Kingdom. The magazine is currently released every Tuesday. It covers storylines featured in British and Australian soap operas that are broadcast in t ...
'' named Dawn and Gary's exit as their number 4 happy ending, "When Dawn said she'd marry Gary, we suspected it was only because of a shared obsession with having a needless double in their names. (Frankly, she could do a lot better.) But off they chugged along the Grand Union Canal to a happy future — Garry and Dawn smiling, Summer cheerfully picking her nose. We'd like to think they're still together. But it's a long shot." In 2020, Sara Wallis and Ian Hyland from The ''
Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' placed Dawn 94th on their ranked list of the best ''EastEnders'' characters of all time, calling her "gorgeous" and "the most beautiful woman ever to set foot in Walford" who had "some major storylines before sailing off into the sunset with Garry".


References


External links


Dawn Swann
- BBC
Dawn Swann
at
Holy Soap Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas '' Home and Away'' and '' Neighbours'', which are broadcast ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swann, Dawn EastEnders characters Fictional bartenders in soap operas Fictional merchants Fictional models Television characters introduced in 2005 British female characters in soap operas English female characters in television Miller family (EastEnders)