A heartbreaking family rift has left former Emmerdale actress Sammy Winward estranged from her daughter, following the young woman's decision to join the adult content platform OnlyFans.
The 40-year-old soap star, who played Katie Sugden, and her ex-partner, former Blackburn Rovers footballer David Dunn, 44, have reportedly not spoken to their 20-year-old daughter, Mia Winward-Dunn, since she revealed her new venture in 2024.
Mia, who recently announced she is expecting her first child, confirmed she has yet to share her pregnancy news with her mother, highlighting the ongoing depth of the conflict.
The OnlyFans Bombshell That Shattered a Close Bond
The feud erupted in the summer of 2024, roughly four months after Mia, then 18, signed up for the X-rated subscription site. The model claimed she was earning an impressive £100,000 a month and felt "empowered" by her financial independence.
This career move, however, was met with horror from her parents. Reports suggest David Dunn used deeply offensive language towards his daughter, while Sammy is alleged to have said "some pretty mean things." Mia claimed her mother was possibly "jealous" of her rapid success and refused to move past the argument.
The mother and daughter, who were once described as "best friends" and frequently shared affectionate social media posts, have now been locked in a bitter silence for nearly two years.
Pregnancy Announcement and a Hope for Healing
In a poignant new development, Mia has revealed she is pregnant and has subsequently quit her OnlyFans account. She now lives in the Lake District with her unnamed partner.
Speaking about her estrangement, Mia told The Sun that her parents "don't really know how to contact me." She added that becoming a parent herself has shifted her perspective, stating she "couldn't imagine not speaking to her own child."
Despite this, reconciliation seems a distant prospect. The mum-to-be admitted they have "got a lot to work on" and that the process of forgiveness has not yet begun. She reflected that she now better understands the protective instincts of a parent, though she originally did not comprehend her parents' severe reaction.
A Public Fallout and a Private Pain
The dispute spilled onto social media at the time, with Mia posting a racy photo captioned "Got a 'real' job" in an apparent dig at her mother's disapproval. Her Instagram account has since been deleted.
Mia also addressed the 'nepo baby' label, insisting her financial success was due to hard work behind the scenes, not merely her famous parents' connections.
For Sammy Winward, who was said to be left "devastated" and "heartbroken" by the split, the joy of becoming a grandmother is now overshadowed by this profound family breakdown. The story underscores the painful personal conflicts that can arise from modern career choices in the digital age.
