A Place in the Sun presenter Leah Charles-King has courageously revealed her bipolar disorder diagnosis, a condition she concealed for nine years due to fears that prospective employers would perceive her as a liability. The Channel 4 property specialist, who joined the show in 2021, is now an ambassador for Bipolar UK and speaks openly about her mental health journey.
From Pop Star to TV Presenter
Before helping British buyers find their dream homes abroad, Leah, born and based in London, led a vastly different life as a pop star. She was a member of the R&B-pop girl group Kleshay alongside two of her cousins during the 1990s, achieving two top 40 hits. The trio supported Lionel Richie on tour, and Leah provided backing vocals for iconic artists such as George Michael and Andrea Bocelli.
Her early showbiz career included appearing in Billy Ocean's music video for "Get Outta My Dreams, Get in My Car" and featuring in several children's television programmes with Floella Benjamin and the late Barbara Windsor. In 2001, she made history as the first Black female continuity presenter on CITV, later working for the BBC, ITV, The Disney Channel, and various radio stations.
Hiding the Diagnosis
Leah admitted she kept her bipolar disorder hidden for nine years, fearing stigma in the workplace. She said: "I hid it for nine years, because I thought prospective employers would think I'd be a liability, but now I am an Ambassador for Bipolar UK and talk openly about my condition in the media." She explained that presenting is "the best medicine" for her, adding: "It was being overlooked within the industry, or not having work, that was often a trigger for my low mood."
She stressed the importance of sleep for her mental well-being, noting that different routines on location can be challenging. "Landing this job stands for so much more than just an average gig; for me, it's about having faith and not allowing bipolar to be an obstacle," she said.
Struggles and Recovery
Leah has spoken candidly about the dark periods she endured. In a 2024 social media post, she wrote: "It was so dark I didn't think I'd make it through. More than once, I almost gave up. But I'm still here. Healing isn't easy, but it is possible." She previously told The Mirror that she was estranged from her family due to her behaviour before diagnosis: "They didn't know I had bipolar, I didn't know I had bipolar, my GP didn't know I had bipolar." She was repeatedly prescribed antidepressants, which induced a manic phase lasting a year, describing it as something she "wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."
After her diagnosis, it took years to rebuild family relationships. She now says: "It's night and day, right now I don't just survive with this condition, I thrive with it. I can thrive in spite of it." She describes bipolar as her "sleeping dragon," adding: "Sometimes she rears her head, and the fire comes out; sometimes you might get burnt fingers, but we always reign her back in."
Life-Changing Impact of A Place in the Sun
Leah credits the show with transforming her life and career. She told The Express: "The show's been completely life-changing for me. For somebody who's been in TV for a long time and felt I was very overlooked for many years, I'd just been waiting for that break." She likened her previous experience to "being invited to the party, but you're not allowed to sit at the table."
A Place in the Sun airs weekdays from 3pm on Channel 4.
