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Ashley Jenson has revealed she gave up her glamorous life in Los Angeles and moved back to the UK to give her teenage son ‘stability’ after a family tragedy.
The Scottish actress, 56, moved to London and lived in Hollywood for six years to propel her career, where she rubbed shoulders with A-Listers Kate Winslet, Samuel L Jackson and Daniel Radcliffe.
The mother of one then returned to her rural roots and moved to Somerset, which she says is the home she has the strongest emotional connection to.
Ashley told the Times: ‘I moved here to give Frankie as much space and stability as possible during his school years. It’s been a great decision.’
Speaking of what it is like living with a teenage boy, she joked about being a ‘clean freak’ and the never-ending laundry in her son’s bedroom.
Ashley Jenson has revealed she gave up her glamorous life in Los Angeles and moved back to the UK to give has teenage son ‘stability’
Ashley said: ‘I moved here to give Frankie as much space and stability as possible during his school years. It’s been a great decision’ (the mother and son pictured in 2021
‘Many times I’ve collected piles of dirty washing there’s always a massive pile of even more dirty washing the next time I dare to enter. I don’t know where it all comes from.’
The Shetland star added that their beloved golden retriever Lloyd sheds – and so she has given up on trying to make her home pristine.
The award-nominated actress went on to discuss how she has been modest about showcasing her achievements in her home in the past, but is now embracing it as her son has gotten older.
She said: ‘My home office has some photos hanging on the wall and my Emmy award nomination certificate…. My mum’s death made me think that you’ve just got to make the most of the time you’ve got. Be present every day and celebrate your achievements. So why not have these things on the wall?’
The Ugly Betty actress shares her son with EastEnders actor Terence Beesley, Ashley’s partner of 18 years before died by suicide in 2017 in their Somerset home.
Ashley found his body in the family’s Mercedes after she returned from a day out with Francis, then eight.
Ashley secretly married fellow actor Kenny Doughty, 50, in 2023 six years after the tragic death of her first husband
Speaking of what it is like living with a teenage boy, she joked about being a ‘clean freak’ and the never-ending laundry in her son’s bedroom (pictured in 2023)
Ashley shares her son with EastEnders actor Terence Beesley, her partner of 18 years before he died by suicide in 2017 in their Somerset home (pictured in 2016)
She told an inquest the next year: ‘Terry and I had been together for 18 years, but I had no idea he was capable of what he did.’
The couple had met in 1999 and married in California before moving back to the UK.
She has now found new love since the terrible tragedy and secretly married fellow actor Kenny Doughty, 50, in 2023.
The pair met on the set of 2017 BBC drama Love, Lies And Records also beamed throughout the August 9 ceremony while dressed in a powder-blue suit with matching suede loafers.
A source previously told The Sun: ‘Ashley and Kenny have been friends for some time, and he has been an immense support to her in the past few years.
‘They make a lovely couple, and all their friends are absolutely delighted for them. Ashley is both a wonderful actress and person – and she deserves this second chance at happiness.’
