Leah Charles-King
BroadcasterUnited Kingdom
Leah Charles-King is a British television and radio presenter who presents Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun. Her career has also included performing as a member of the R&B group Kleshay and presenting for broadcasters including CITV, BBC, Disney Channel, Channel 5, BET and Sky. [2]
Career and work
Charles-King began her entertainment career in the 1990s as a member of the R&B group Kleshay, which was signed to Sony Music and had two UK chart singles. The group also toured as a supporting act for Lionel Richie, and Charles-King later provided backing vocals for artists including George Michael and Mary J. Blige. [2]
In 2001, she became the first Black female continuity presenter on CITV. She went on to work across television and radio for broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Disney Channel, Channel 5, BET and Sky, and spent four years hosting and producing a drive-time programme on The Beat London. In 2021, she joined Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun as a presenter. [3][2]
What has been publicly discussed
- Charles-King was diagnosed with bipolar disorder around 2012 and kept the diagnosis private for several years. In 2019, she spoke publicly about it for the first time, later explaining that she had feared the stigma surrounding mental illness could prevent her from working in television again. [3][2]
- She has since publicly identified her diagnosis as Bipolar I disorder, including on the website for her book Thriving with Bipolar. [1]
- Charles-King has described experiencing depressive lows and periods of elevated mood. She has said that, before she was diagnosed, she went through a major manic episode that lasted for more than a year and ultimately led to her diagnosis. [4]
- She has also said that being overlooked within the television industry or not having work was often a trigger for low mood. [5]
- Charles-King has emphasized the importance of sleep in managing her mental health, particularly because travel and changing routines for television work can make maintaining stability more difficult. She has said that getting a good night’s sleep is vital for her wellbeing. [5]
- In Thriving with Bipolar, she describes strategies and habits she has developed over more than a decade to help build stability, protect her wellbeing and live with the condition. [1]
- Charles-King has said that after years of learning about herself and trying different approaches, she now “live[s] well with bipolar.” She describes spending most of her time in a relatively balanced middle ground, while still having some days that lean toward depression, and says her continuing focus is on staying well and balanced. [4]
- After speaking publicly about bipolar disorder in 2019, Charles-King created Illuminate Mental Health to help normalize conversations about mental illness and challenge stigma. She has continued to speak publicly about bipolar disorder through interviews, podcasts and events. [2]
- She is an ambassador for Bipolar UK and has hosted the charity’s annual online conference for several years. Bipolar UK says she uses her lived experience to raise awareness, support suicide prevention and challenge stigma, particularly within Black communities. [6][7]
“It proves there is life after diagnosis.”
— Leah Charles-King [3]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Leah Charles-KingThriving with Bipolar Charles-King’s official book website explicitly identifies her diagnosis as bipolar type 1 and describes the strategies and habits she has developed from more than a decade of lived experience.
A Place in the Sun“Leah Charles-King” Professional biography covering her music and broadcasting career, her first public disclosure in 2019 and subsequent mental-health advocacy.
A Place in the Sun“All new episodes of A Place in the Sun, and a new presenter!” Announces Charles-King’s appointment, discusses her bipolar diagnosis and concerns about stigma, and contains her statement about life after diagnosis.
View all 7 sources
JAAQ“Leah Charles-King” First-person video transcripts in which Charles-King discusses her manic episode, depressive lows, diagnosis and current approach to maintaining balance.
A Place in the Sun“Meet Leah Charles-King – New Presenter on A Place in the Sun” Interview covering her mood experiences, work-related triggers and the importance of sleep to her wellbeing.
Bipolar UK“Meet the team” Confirms Charles-King’s ambassador role and describes her work raising awareness, supporting suicide prevention and challenging stigma, particularly within Black communities.
Bipolar UK“Trustees’ Annual Report 2025” Documents Charles-King hosting Bipolar UK’s annual online conference for the fifth consecutive year in 2025.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Leah Charles-King and their experiences.
- Bipolar UnfilteredThe Bipolar Diaries
A podcast mini-series in which Charles-King and Anastasia McLean compare their experiences of bipolar disorder and discuss day-to-day life with the condition.
- “Working through a low episode and coping with grief”Bipolar UK, Let’s Talk Bipolar
A podcast episode featuring Charles-King discussing low mood, grief and living with bipolar disorder.