See also Biography Index (L) :: Filmography Index (L) :: Discography Index (L)

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. 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. 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. Having appeared in the 1978 British slapstick comedy Rosie Dixon, Night Nurse, her first major film role was playing the romantic lead 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 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 Mersey Beat and ITV`s Where The Heart Is. More recently, Leslie has appeared in BBC Radio 4`s darkly comic radio series, Vent, alongside Neil Pearson, Fiona Allen and Josie Lawrence. In May 2008 Leslie 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. 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".