‘I'M FLYING THE FLAG FOR 60-SOMETHING GRANS'

LESLIE ASH OPENS UP ABOUT HER BIG TV COMEBACK BECOMING A GRANDMOTHER AND THE SECRET TO HER -YEAR MARRIAGE

- CHLOE ALEXANDROU

Having been off our screens for almost 11 years, we were delighted when Leslie Ash exclusively revealed to OK! this week that she’s got a very exciting new role on hit BBC series Casualty.

Now 61 and having suffered a life-changing spinal infection, the mum-of-two is the first to admit getting back into showbiz has been tough.

Famed for her roles in 1979 cult classic Quadrophenia and 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, her health ordeal in the noughties left her unable to walk.

But she’s now back on her feet and finally enjoying time on set again. And as well as Casualty, she’s also landed a turn in Doctors. “Between these roles and my appearances in Holby City and Where The Heart Is, I’ve got all the medical dramas under my belt,” she laughs.

Leslie also became a grandmother in April after eldest son James, 31, and fiancée Farah, 30, welcomed baby Lucas.

Here, we find out how the star – also mum to Max, 29 – feels about being back on screen, being a gran and how she and her husband, ex-footballer Lee Chapman, 61, have made their 33-year marriage stand the test of time.

Hi, Leslie! We’re excited to be announcing your Casualty role. Can you tell us a bit about it?

A long time ago – it doesn’t feel that long but I worked it out to be about 10 years ago – I played a wonderful character called Vanessa Lytton, who was the CEO of Holby City. She brought quite a bit of trouble to the hospital and ended up having to leave. I thought I’d seen the back of her until I was recently asked to come back for an episode.