Leslie Ash 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 Pink and Jackie.
19 Facts About Leslie Ash
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In 1980, Leslie Ash appeared in the Iron Maiden music video "Women in Uniform" and one of the two Dire Straits music videos of "Tunnel of Love".
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Also in 1982, Leslie Ash appeared in a TV adaptation of Outside Edge.
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In 1987, Leslie Ash appeared in the first episode of the third series of the ITV comedy series Home to Roost, entitled "Human Interest", where she played the role of the flamboyant cleaner, Susie Perkins.
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Leslie Ash is well known for playing Deborah, the upstairs tenant and love interest for Neil Morrissey, in the situation comedy Men Behaving Badly.
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Leslie Ash subsequently acted in BBC police drama Merseybeat and the ITV drama Where the Heart Is.
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Leslie Ash appeared in BBC Radio 4's comic radio series, Vent, alongside Neil Pearson, Fiona Allen and Josie Lawrence.
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In May 2008, Leslie Ash worked with Transparent Television to make a documentary about the unregulated cosmetic beauty industry while exploring her own experiences.
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In 2009, Leslie Ash appeared on daytime TV panel programme Loose Women to discuss her new role in Holby City and her previous health problems.
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Leslie Ash reappeared on Loose Women on 17 February 2012, where she discussed her stage tour of All the Single Ladies.
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In 2014, Leslie Ash was a contestant on the BBC programme Celebrity Masterchef.
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Leslie Ash is married to former footballer Lee Chapman, and they have two sons.
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Leslie Ash's sister is former Hot Gossip dancer Debbie Ash.
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Leslie Ash contracted toxoplasmosis two months into her pregnancy while in France, where it is more common than in the United Kingdom.
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Leslie Ash told the BBC that she wished to raise awareness of the issue in Britain.
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Leslie Ash was hospitalised at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in April 2004 after suffering two cracked ribs.
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Leslie Ash was discharged after a few days, but was readmitted after losing all feeling in her legs.
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In January 2007 Leslie Ash confirmed she was suing the hospital.
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The payment was justified by the NHS compensation body as being "because of the amount Leslie Ash was earning at the time she fell ill and takes into account how much she might have earned in the future".