Leslie Ash beats the odds by returning to TV – after doctors said she’d be in a wheelchair at 60

Leslie Ash has beaten the odds by returning to TV, after doctors told her she’d be in a wheelchair at 60 due to a life-changing spine condition.

The Men Behaving Badly star, 61, has suffered many public medical conditions, including botched lip fillers, taking antidepressants and cracking two of her ribs after falling off the bed while having sex with her husband, ex-footballer Lee Chapman, in 2004. 

But it was while she was in hospital for this injury that she contracted a ‘deadly strain’ of the MRSA superbug because of an abscess that had developed in her spinal column – which could have left her permanently unable to walk.

Leslie was given a bleak prognosis following the string of unfortunate events and told The Sun: ‘They said I’d be in a wheelchair by 60 because of my terrible hips and knees. I was only given a slight hope of recovery but because I wanted it enough I was able to achieve what I have today.’

The Quadrophenia actress has bounced back and rarely relies on a trusty walking stick, let alone a wheelchair. 

She returned to the small screen this year, snatching up roles in Doctors and Casualty, but the future didn’t always look this bright. 

Ordeals: The Men Behaving Badly star, 61, has suffered many public medical conditions, including cracking two of her ribs after falling off the bed while having sex with her husband, ex-footballer Lee Chapman, in 2004 [the pair pictured above in 2008]

Back in 2008, Leslie successfully sued the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and won an astonishing £5million in compensation, as she had contracted the antibiotic-resistant MSSA form of the infection after an epidural needle came loose.

The payout was so hefty because there was a belief she would not return to ongoing TV roles – and the compensation reflected the future loss of earnings.

Of the importance of staying optimistic, the Oxfordshire-born star said: ‘If I sat down and did nothing I’d be in a wheelchair now, without a doubt. You need a lot of mental strength to keep fighting.’

Life-changing condition: Back in 2008, Leslie successfully sued the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and won an astonishing £5million in compensation 

Leslie is renowned for her role in British sitcom Men Behaving Badly – and next year will see her unite with co-stars Martin Clunes, Caroline Quentin and Neil Morrissey to celebrate 30 years since it first aired.

Even though Leslie didn’t deny that a new episode – or even a series – would be ‘lovely’, she said she is ‘too old for that’, as the last instalment aired in 1998.

The end of September also presents a new project for the My Life Behaving Badly author, as she will start work on a short film, Twelve, alongside Duncan James.

Talented: Leslie is renowned for her role in British sitcom Men Behaving Badly – and next year will see her unite with co-stars Martin Clunes (top left) Caroline Quentin (bottom left) and Neil Morrissey (top right) to celebrate 30 years since it first aired

It is centred on a recovery group session for those with eating disorders, which has been written alongside NHS professionals.

This is an element Leslie believes sets it aside from other dramas, as the reality of being diagnosed with an eating disorder can be portrayed effectively and realistically.  

Leslie once revealed in an interview that taking anti-depressants following her diagnosis left her feeling as if big parts of her life had gone missing thanks to their soporific effects.

‘When you’ve got nerve pain they tend to give you antidepressants which tells your brain that you’re not in pain so it takes away about 50 per cent of the pain,’ she explained.   

‘I just thought, “actually, I don’t like them” because they don’t let you sort of finish your conversation or finish your sentence even.

‘You have a big bits of your life missing and so I really wanted to get off them and I’ve taken quite a long time to get off them because it’s not something you can just suddenly come off and I feel really awake now, it’s brilliant.’

New parents: Back in April, Leslie’s eldest son Joe, 31, and his fiancée Farah, 30, welcomed baby Lucas

Back in April, Leslie’s eldest son Joe, 31, and his fiancée Farah, 30, welcomed baby Lucas.

The new grandmother revealed her concerns about looking after her son’s child due to her debilitating ailments to The Mirror.

‘I am scared. I can’t run and any mother will know that there are scary moments where you have to be able to run after your children to protect them, or stop them doing something.  

‘I’ll never be able to be alone with Lucas until he’s a certain age because I couldn’t be fully responsible. 

‘I also won’t be able to run around and play with him as much as I’d like. That’s what my mum did with my kids. Still, there are plenty of other ways we can have fun.’

New grandmother: Leslie has revealed her concerns about looking after her son’s child due to her debilitating ailment