Leslie Ash made a rare appearance using a pink walking stick as she stepped out for Lido Festival on Saturday.
The Men Behaving Badly star, 65, shared an update on her health earlier this year, two decades after contracting an MSSA superbug that nearly left her unable to walk.
But the star spoke out about her health in an update in April, where she said she has defied doctors who said she would likely be in a wheelchair by the age of 16 thanks to rehabilitation and regular gym sessions.
In her latest outing, Leslie kept it casual as she arrived at London’s Victoria Park for Lido Festival – the first fully battery-powered main stage, running on 100% renewable energy from wind and solar.
Leslie sported a white oversized shirt tucked into dark blue denim slim-leg cropped jeans and a pair of pink trainers as she enjoyed the festival with her husband, former footballer Lee Chapman, 65.
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Leslie Ash made a rare appearance using a pink walking stick as she stepped out for Lido Festival in London on Saturday
In her latest outing, Leslie kept it casual as she arrived at London’s Victoria Park for Lido Festival
Leslie reflected on the incident that changed her life earlier this year.
She was admitted to hospital in April 2004 after cracking two ribs during a fall from bed amid an intimate moment with her husband Lee.
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 revealed she was only given a ‘slight hope of recovery’ by doctors, who thought she’d be wheelchair-bound by the time she was 60 due to a life-changing spine condition.
Against all odds, the Quadrophenia star has bounced back and rarely relies on a trusty walking stick, let alone a wheelchair.
She was awarded a record £5 million in compensation in 2008 after acquiring the infection in hospital.
Then 20-years later, Leslie spoke to Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain about her current health state in April.
She said: ‘I will never be the same as I was, obviously. But yeah, It is 20 years exactly and It’s fine.
Leslie could be seen enjoying Charli XCX on the main stage of the festival on Saturday with her husband
Lido is the first fully battery-powered main stage, running on 100% renewable energy from wind and solar
Leslie was seen enjoying the festival with her husband, former footballer Lee Chapman, 65
Leslie was admitted to hospital in April 2004 after cracking two ribs during a fall from bed amid an intimate moment with her husband Lee
‘I love working still, I can still do bits. Nowhere near what it was before but I’m feeling really really really good. I’m very healthy.’
She added: ‘They said I’d be in a wheelchair by the time I was 60 but I think, I’m ver lucky. You know, my husbands helped me with my rehab and getting me into the gym.
‘And really making sure that I stay fit. You’ve got to keep your core strong. There are so many things you have to do, mentally as well.’
The Men Behaving Badly star previously admitted she needed ‘mental strength’ to keep fighting her condition, but has defied doctors expectations.
Leslie, who was given a bleak prognosis following the string of unfortunate events, 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.’
Leslie is renowned for her role in British sitcom Men Behaving Badly (pictured with Martin Clunes (top left) Caroline Quentin (bottom left) and Neil Morrissey (top right)
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.’