Ampika Pickston is a 45-year-old British reality television personality, former model, and businesswoman best known for The Real Housewives of Cheshire. Born on July 23, 1981, she gained fame in 2015 through her glamorous lifestyle and outspoken personality. Beyond television, she has built a career in the beauty industry and is engaged to billionaire businessman David Sullivan. Her return to The Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2026 has renewed interest in her career, wealth, relationships, and family.
Ampika Pickston | Profile Summary
| Profile Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ampika Pickston |
| Birth Name | Ampika Fawcett |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1981 |
| Age (2026) | 45 years |
| Birthplace | Oldham, Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | — |
| Profession | Reality TV personality, entrepreneur, former model |
| Famous For | The Real Housewives of Cheshire |
| Relationship Status | Engaged to David Sullivan |
| Former Husband | Mark Pickston |
| Children | One son, Jake |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around £3 million (historical estimate) |
| @ampikapickston1 |
Who Is Ampika Pickston?
Ampika Pickston is an English entrepreneur and television star who became famous as an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Cheshire. Her confident personality, fashionable appearance, and memorable disagreements with fellow cast members made her one of the show’s most recognisable personalities.
Before television fame, she worked as a hairdresser and operated a beauty salon. She later expanded into aesthetics training, establishing herself as a businesswoman beyond the entertainment industry.
Ampika Pickston’s Age
Ampika Pickston is 45 years old as of November 2026. She was born on July 23, 1981, in Oldham, Lancashire, England. Her zodiac sign is Leo.
Born Ampika Fawcett, she grew up in Shaw, near Oldham. Her mother is originally from Thailand, giving Ampika a mixed English and Thai family background.
She attended Rishworth School before studying hairstyling at the Toni & Guy Academy in Manchester and the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London. This training helped establish her early career in the beauty industry.
Ampika is also recognised for her glamorous fashion sense, carefully styled hair, and distinctive makeup. Her height is not consistently documented in reliable biographical sources.
Ampika Pickston’s Net Worth
Ampika Pickston’s net worth has been estimated at around £3 million, based on a historical assessment published by Spear’s in 2016 and updated in 2017.
Her professional income has been associated with reality television, beauty services, aesthetics education, and other business interests.
She previously operated Opium Hair and Beauty, a salon and spa in Cheshire. She later founded Ampika’s Aesthetics, which provides training in cosmetic treatments.
Although her fiancé, David Sullivan, is significantly wealthier, his fortune is separate from her personal assets. The £3 million estimate remains a useful historical reference rather than a confirmed valuation of her wealth in 2026.
Who Is Ampika Pickston’s Fiancé?
Ampika Pickston is engaged to David Sullivan, a wealthy British businessman and major shareholder in West Ham United Football Club.
Sullivan was born on February 5, 1949, and built his fortune through publishing, property, and business investments. He previously held a leading position at Birmingham City before becoming involved in West Ham United in 2010.
Their relationship has attracted media attention because of Sullivan’s wealth, football connections, and the couple’s approximately 32-year age difference.
In April 2026, ITV described Sullivan as Ampika’s billionaire fiancé while announcing her return to The Real Housewives of Cheshire. Their wedding preparations were also identified as part of the programme’s storyline.
Is Ampika Pickston Married?
Ampika and David Sullivan have been planning their wedding, but ITV’s April 2026 announcement described them as engaged rather than married.
She was previously married to businessman Mark Pickston. Their marriage ended in divorce before she became widely known through reality television.
During her early appearances on The Real Housewives of Cheshire, Ampika discussed aspects of her life after divorce while managing her business and raising her son. Her experiences as a single mother formed part of her original television story.
Ampika Pickston’s Son and Family
Ampika Pickston has one son named Jake, whom she shares with her former husband, Mark Pickston.
Although she has discussed motherhood during her television career, Jake has generally remained outside the entertainment spotlight.
Family has remained an important part of Ampika’s life alongside her professional commitments. Her upbringing in Greater Manchester and English-Thai heritage also form part of her personal background.
Despite her television fame, she has maintained some separation between her public career and her son’s private life.
Her Real Housewives Career
Ampika joined The Real Housewives of Cheshire when the series premiered in January 2015.
She appeared alongside original cast members Dawn Ward, Lauren Simon, Tanya Bardsley, Leanne Brown, and Magali Gorré.
Her outspoken personality quickly attracted attention, particularly during disagreements with Dawn Ward. These moments helped establish her as one of the show’s prominent original Housewives.
Ampika left the programme in 2017 after its fifth series. Contemporary media reports linked her departure to tensions and arguments among cast members.
However, her association with the programme continued. She returned for a Manchester Pride special filmed in 2023 and broadcast in 2024, followed by further guest appearances.
Ampika Pickston’s Return in 2026
Ampika made another major television comeback in 2026.
On April 1, ITV announced her return as a full-time cast member for Series 19 of The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
The series premiered on ITV2 on April 21, 2026, featuring Ampika alongside Lauren Simon, Rachel Lugo, Sheena Lynch, Seema Malhotra, and Paige Chohan.
Her relationship with David Sullivan and their wedding plans formed part of the show’s promotional storyline.
The comeback marked a new chapter in her television career, reconnecting her with longtime viewers while introducing her to a newer audience.
Ampika Pickston’s Businesses
Before appearing on television, Ampika established herself in the beauty industry through her salon, Opium Hair and Beauty.
In 2019, she founded Ampika’s Aesthetics, a training academy specialising in cosmetic and aesthetic procedures.
Its courses cover treatments such as dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, and skin rejuvenation. According to the company’s website, the academy had expanded to six UK locations by 2025.
Ampika has also been involved in other businesses, including Skinny Revolution and AP Care Homes Limited.
AP Care Homes faced regulatory action following safeguarding and management concerns at a children’s home it operated. Ofsted cancelled its registration, and a tribunal upheld that decision in May 2025.
Her professional background therefore includes both the growth of her beauty businesses and challenges associated with other ventures.
Life Away From Television
Outside reality television, Ampika maintains a public profile through business activities, social media, and entertainment appearances.
She shares aspects of her lifestyle, fashion, and professional work on Instagram, where she uses the handle @ampikapickston1.
Her additional television credits include Celebrity Ghost Hunt Live and CelebAbility, both in 2017.
Although reality television remains central to her public identity, her beauty industry experience and entrepreneurial activities have been important parts of her career for many years.
Conclusion
Ampika Pickston has developed a career spanning reality television, beauty services, and business ownership. From her early years in Oldham to becoming a familiar face on The Real Housewives of Cheshire, she has maintained a distinctive public profile.
Now 45, she continues to attract attention through her business ventures, family life, engagement to David Sullivan, and return to television in 2026.
FAQs
How old is Ampika Pickston?
Ampika Pickston is 45 years old as of November 2026. She was born on July 23, 1981.
What is Ampika Pickston’s net worth?
Her wealth was historically estimated at approximately £3 million by Spear’s.
Who is Ampika Pickston engaged to?
She is engaged to billionaire businessman David Sullivan, a major shareholder in West Ham United.
Who is Ampika Pickston’s ex-husband?
Her former husband is businessman Mark Pickston, with whom she shares a son.
Does Ampika Pickston have children?
Yes. She has one son named Jake.
Why did Ampika Pickston leave Real Housewives?
She left in 2017 following several seasons involving disagreements with other cast members. She subsequently returned for special appearances.
Is Ampika Pickston back on Real Housewives of Cheshire?
Yes. She returned as a full-time cast member in Series 19, which premiered in April 2026.
