Programme aims

To raise awareness:

• that there's more to life than fame and fortune
• that it is very easy to become too self-critical
• that if you are depressed you should not be ashamed or scared to seek help
• that it's never too late to change your career direction

Curriculum Relevance

This programme can be used and discussed in conjunction with courses in art and drama, psychology, midwifery, education and health and safety issues such as anxiety and depression.

Programme outline

The programme portrays Lesley as a young girl disinterested in her studies. She begins to pursue modeling and dreams of moving to London from Belfast. Her mother fights for her to stay in school but Lesley leaves school and moves out by the age of sixteen. After winning numerous modeling awards and contracts she auditions for a lead role on the television series, Hollyoaks. She lands the part along with a lucrative contract but not long after, the pressure and superficiality of show business gets to her. Plagued by exhaustion and depression she realizes she must change her life. Lesley makes the drastic decision to quit acting and return to school, to study midwifery, a life-long dream. Starting over was not easy but she feels more fulfilled in her life and most importantly, she is happy.

Credits

Produced by Juniper Communications for Channel 4

Researcher Lucy Cuthbertson
Executive Producer Samir Shah
Produced and Directed by James Bluemel