A much happier and more positive Leslie Ash is leaving her past troubles behind as she stars in a new play, getting its world premiere. Chris Price caught up with her.

From ridicule over her lip implants to the suspicion her voice mails had been hacked by the News of the World, Leslie Ash has had a tough time of it in recent years.

Yet the former Men Behaving Badly actress has begun a new, more positive chapter in her life, the next lines of which will be written with a world premiere of a new drama in Kent.

Aside from her difficult relationship with the Press, Leslie has also overcome an infection which she caught in hospital in 2004 that left her struggling to walk. She still moves around with a stick but has never given up on her performing career, making her comeback on TV screens in Holby City for seven months in 2009 and 2010.

This, however, is an altogether different kettle of fish for Leslie, as she prepares to set foot on stage for the first time in more than 15 years in the dramatic comedy, All The Single Ladies.

“I really wanted to test myself and see if I can do this,” said Leslie, 52. “I don’t have to take it easy, even though I walk with a stick. I am giving it my best and this is a new beginning. I’m leaving all the rubbish behind me.”

All The Single Ladies explores the love lives of three modern women, unravelling past romances and pondering future loves. Written by comedienne and wife of Peep Show’s Robert Webb, Abigail Burdess, the play sees Leslie star alongside Brooke Kinsella, who played Kelly Taylor in EastEnders and Irish actress and comedienne Tara Flynn.

“What attracted me to the show is that it has been written by Abi, who makes me laugh and it has a lovely script,” said Leslie, who is married to ex-footballer Lee Chapman.

“It is about three women at totally different stages and how they approach things like sex. It is a very funny show. All the women in the audience are going to totally understand every line. People can identify with the character and it ticked all my boxes. It applies to a lot of women. It is better than Calendar Girls.”

Adding to the pressure of the show’s first-ever performance at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre is the fact this is Leslie’s first foray onto the stage in 17 years. Her last theatre role was in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter.

“I’m very nervous but I am with two lovely girls, Brooke and Tara. We are all helping each other. There are a lot of monologues and a lot of stuff to learn but our director Andy Burden has done lots of theatre and is trying to get some sort of performance out of us.”

Role play

Famous for roles in Merseybeat, Where the Heart Is and the cult film Quadrophenia, Leslie Ash is best remembered as Debs in the BBC comedy Men Behaving Badly, the blonde from the flat above Gary (Martin Clunes) and Tony (Neil Morrissey).

Leslie said: “We just all look a lot younger in it. I don’t know if that is good or bad. It has definitely dated but now it has a whole other following.

“There are lots of things you still find funny. Sometimes I still catch a bit. It was hysterical doing it.”

All The Single Ladies, starring Leslie Ash, gets its world premiere at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre on Tuesday, February 7, and runs until Saturday, February 11. Tickets £12 to £29.50. Box office 0844 871 7627. The show returns to Kent at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre on Tuesday, April 3. Tickets £22, £20. Box office 01892 530613.