Alnwick businesswoman set sights on TV career after taking part in The Heist

Filmed in and around the Alnwick area, the Sky One show centres around nine people faced with the challenge of stealing a life-changing stash of cash and hiding their share from a crack team of detectives.

With a background in showbusiness, London-born Leonie knew she had a good shot of earning a place on the programme.

Before realising her calling as a beauty therapist, the 32-year-old worked as an entertainer, singing and dancing in hotels and cruise ships across various countries.

She said: “Being on the show was a lot harder than I thought. I never imagined it would feel so real but I loved every minute of it.”

Leonie owns the Alnwick beauty salon, The Powder Room, and a key member of the Alnwick Stage Musical Society.

Her appearance on The Heist has given her the bug for the camera.

“I’ve learnt through this that I love the camera and being on TV,” she said. “The adrenaline, nerves, paranoia and excitement of it all was an experience of a lifetime. I feel on camera I came to life.”

“I love my job, but I love TV even more. I would love nothing more than to keep this up and continue working in television!”

Aside from shining a spotlight on Alnwick and her business, Leonie also wants to use her involvement with the show to raise awareness of her illness, Fibromyalgia; a condition characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and sleep issues.

Leonie said: “I would love to use this experience to help others who have my illness.

“I believe I can give strength to those out there with the same chronic illness as myself and even if I can give one other person the realisation of the strength that they have within like I’d be a happy bunny!

“Looking back on filming The Heist reminds me of the strength I have deep down to battle this illness daily.”

Season 2 of The Heist is on Sky One and NOW TV.