Leslie Ash
Leslie Ash | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1964-present |
| Spouse | Lee Chapman (1988 - present) |
Leslie Ash (born 19 February 1960 in Clapham, London) is an English actress, best known for her role in the sitcom Men Behaving Badly. Her book My Life Behaving Badly: The Autobiography was published in 2007.
Early life and career
Ash first appeared on TV in 1964 at the age of four asking "Mummy, why are your hands so soft?" in an advertisement for the washing-up product Fairy Liquid.[1] She was educated at the independent Italia Conti Academy stage school, and then started a career as a fashion model appearing on the cover of a number of teen magazines including Jackie for which she was photographed by David Bailey.[citation needed]
Having appeared in the 1978 British slapstick comedy Rosie Dixon, Night Nurse,[2] her first major film role was playing the romantic lead in Quadrophenia in 1979. In 1983 she played Julie Morgan aka Juletta Shane in Curse of the Pink Panther. In 1983 she also appeared opposite Nicky Henson as Nancy in the ITV situation comedy The Happy Apple playing a secretary whose opinions successfully reflected public opinion. She then played a regular role in crime series C.A.T.S. Eyes.
Ash's most famous role was playing Neil Morrissey's romantic interest Deborah (Debs) in the situation comedy Men Behaving Badly. This, after six series, led to other options, including the BBC's Merseybeat and ITV's Where The Heart Is. During her time on Men Behaving Badly Leslie released a single Tell Him with co-star Caroline Quentin in 1996 under the name of "Quentin & Ash"; it reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.[citation needed]
Recent work
Ash appeared in BBC Radio 4's darkly comic radio series, Vent, alongside Neil Pearson, Fiona Allen and Josie Lawrence.[3]
In May 2008 Ash was asked by Transparent Television to make a documentary about the unregulated cosmetic beauty industry whilst exploring her own experiences. The programme, Leslie Ash: Face to Face was broadcast on ITV1 on 23 September 2008.
On 19 May 2009, it was announced that Ash would join the cast of BBC drama, Holby City from October 2009, playing the role of executive Vanessa Lytton.[4]
On 13 October 2009, Ash appeared on daytime TV panel programme Loose Women to discuss her new role in Holby City and her previous health problems.
Personal life
Ash is married to former footballer Lee Chapman, they have two children. Her sister is former 'Hot Gossip' dancer Debbie Ash. They appeared together as sisters in "Rosie Dixon, Night Nurse".
Collagen implants
In 2003 she had a medical accident when her collagen lip implants went wrong and she was left with what the tabloids dubbed a "trout pout".[5] During this time Ash starred in a series of advertisements for the DIY chain Homebase (again, with Neil Morrissey) and she also starred in the BBC police drama Merseybeat, which evoked further ridicule from the media about her appearance.[6] She has since spoken out about the press ridicule she has received as a result of her botched implants, commenting: "If I'd lost a leg in a car crash, people wouldn't have felt able to take the mickey out of me so mercilessly....People don't laugh at Heather Mills because she lost a leg."[7]
Health problems
Ash contracted toxoplasmosis two months into her pregnancy in France, where toxoplasmosis is extremely common. She told the BBC that she wished to raise awareness of this as an issue in Britain.[8]
Ash was hospitalised at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in April 2004 after suffering two cracked ribs, saying she fell off her bed on to a table during a love-making session with her husband.[9] She was discharged after only a few days, but was readmitted after losing all feeling in her legs. In June 2004 while she was still in hospital, it was announced that a staphylococcus aureus infection may have rendered her permanently unable to walk.[10]
In late August, Ash was seen taking some steps with the assistance of crutches. Ash appeared on the British Soap Awards in May 2006, walking unaided, but still clearly impaired two years after her illness. In January 2007 Ash confirmed she was suing the hospital. Papers lodged at the High Court asserted that Ash would never return to active TV roles. The hospital admitted breach of duty over part of her treatment but denied responsibility for the extent of her injuries[11] and in January 2008 paid out a record £5m ($7.6m US) compensation payout in an out-of-court settlement. Steve Walker, chief executive of the NHS Litigation Authority, said the payout set a new record for compensation following a hospital-acquired infection.[12] Ash now calls for cleaner hospitals as a result of her experiences and regularly addresses audiences of healthcare officials on the subject.[citation needed]
References
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8054470.stm retrieved 18-05-2009
- ^ "Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse". Retrieved 2008-02-22.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00804yr retrieved 18-05-2009
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article2433757.ece
- ^ "Ash speaks out over lip surgery". BBC News. 1 December 2003. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
- ^ "A slip of her lips could sink a ship on the Mersey". Scotsman.com. 28 January 2003. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
- ^ "Leslie Ash makes trout pout faux pas". The Argus. 1 December 2003. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
- ^ BBC-Superfoods Revealed
- ^ BBC News
- ^ Templeton, Sarah-Kate (2005-03-06). "TV star Ash vows war on superbug". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2006-08-26.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Hospital Superbug Has Killed My Career - Mirror.Co.Uk
- ^ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7192605.stm BBC NEWS | Health | �5m hospital bug payout for Ash]