Leslie Ash

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Leslie Ash (born 19 February 1960 in Clapham, London) is an English actress best known for her role in Men Behaving Badly and several medical mishaps.

1 Biography
2 Personal life
- 2.1 Collagen implants
- 2.2 MRSA infection
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Ash in Men Behaving Badly

The sister of Hot Gossip dancer Debbie Ash, Leslie 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.

Leslie attended the Italia Conti stage school, and then started out as a fashion model.

Her first major film role was playing the romantic interest in Quadrophenia in 1979. In 1983 she 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 Morrisey's romantic interest Deborah in the situation comedy Men Behaving Badly. This after six series led to other options, including the BBC's Mersey Beat and several other serious dramatic roles.

[edit] Personal life

Ash is married to former footballer Lee Chapman. They have had two children, including Max Chapman who attends Wellington College.

[edit] Collagen implants

Ash starring in the BBC drama Mersey Beat, after receiving cosmetic surgery on her lips.

In 2003 she had a medical accident when her collagen lip implants went horribly wrong and she was left with what the tabloids dubbed a "trout pout". ^[1] During this time Ash starred in a series of advertisements for the DIY chain Homebase and she also starred in the BBC police drama Mersey Beat, which evoked further ridicule from the media about her appearance. ^[2] Ash 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."^[3]

[edit] MRSA infection

Ash was originally hospitalised at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in April 2004 after suffering a broken rib and a punctured a lung, allegedly during sex with her husband. This was reported at the time as having been due to the 'roughness' of the intercourse, and indeed rumours apparently circulated that Chapman had attacked Ash, both of which allegations Ash denies, claiming that her injuries were the result of an accident which occurred during sex.^[4]

Ash was discharged after a few days, but readmitted after losing all feeling in her legs. In June 2004 while she was still in hospital, it was announced that an MRSA infection may have rendered her permanently unable to walk. ^[5] 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, with legal papers lodged at the High Court saying Ash will never return to active TV roles, and her lawyers argue the ex-model will lose earnings of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The hospital has admitted breach of duty over part of her treatment but denies responsibility for the extent of her injuries: "The claimant would still have suffered mild paraparesis, loss of some power and motor control in the legs, and some loss of bladder control. It is unlikely that she would have been able to return to an active role as an actress."^[6].

Ash now calls for cleaner hospitals as a result of her experiences and regularly addresses audiences of healthcare officials on the subject.