With doctors doubtful the star would survive, let alone walk again, Leslie has fought her way back to health - and can make her way around with the help of a walking stick.
The successful actress, who has acted in Quadrophenia, Where the Heart Is and Men Behaving Badly amongst others, is now looking forward to rebuilding her career.
‘It’s taken me ten years to come off all the medication and I feel a lot more awake and I am so much better’ said Leslie.
‘I have still got the stick - but I can actually walk around without it now for the first time ever - and I work out a lot.’
Leslie ended up in hospital in 2004 with two broken ribs and a punctured lung after ‘energetic sex’ with husband Lee Chapman went wrong.
However, during her stay she contracted a deadly strain of MRSA, leaving her life hanging in the balance.
The 55-year-old was left with permanent spinal injuries after the illness, and was given £5 million in compensation.
Ash is now looking forward to doing more theatre and drama work, and we can’t wait to see her return to a stage/screen near us!