Titmuss goes up and under for Fringe

SHE came to prominence as the girlfriend of John Leslie, the Edinburgh-born TV presenter whose once-glittering career bombed following a sex case.

Now Abi Titmuss, the glamour model-turned-actress, is returning to the city to play the lead role in one of the Fringe's top shows.

Titmuss will star in Up'n'Under, the rugby play by John Godber, with the playwright directing and rewriting the work for her as part of the Assembly venue's 30th anniversary celebrations.

"It's been my dream to perform at Edinburgh," Titmuss said. "That sounds really contrived, but it's iconic, its legendary. It's been one of the boxes that I've wanted to tick in my acting career."

Titmuss, 34, became a tabloid favourite in 2002 for her public loyalty to her then boyfriend after he was accused of indecent assault and taken to court. He was cleared, but while his career never recovered, the former nurse rocketed to fame, helped by a leaked sex video and poses on the front of magazines like FHM.

However, she said she was unlikely to be in touch this summer with Leslie, the ex-Wheel Of Fortune quiz show host, who still lives in Edinburgh. Although he would be welcome at the show, she said they were no longer in touch. "I wish him all the best, and I'm sure he does me to. He would be very welcome, but it's ten years ago (since they were last a couple]," she said.

Godber's comedy, with its brilliantly choreographed stage rugby scenes, won an Olivier Award for best comedy. It tells the story of a tough female gym instructor who turns a pub rugby team into serious contenders.