Chip shop manageress stars in ITV reality show

The manageress of a Hampshire fish and chip shop has swapped life behind the frying range for one in front of the camera after being chosen to star in the second series of reality show Absolutely Ascot.

Twenty-one-year-old Charlotte Lee, who manages her parents' takeaway, J Henry’s in Southampton, features as a regular in the ITVBe show, which launched on screens last night.

Made by the same people behind Towie and The Real Housewives, the reality programme follows the lives and lifestyles of travellers in and around the famous town of Ascot, Berkshire.

Charlotte has been filmed working in the chippy, out socialising with friends and enjoying a week’s holiday in Marbella.

Charlotte’s mum Beverley Lee comments: “Charlotte didn’t go to secondary school, she was homeschooled from the age of 11 and has worked in the shop ever since. It’s taught her skills that she just couldn’t get at school - communicating to the customers, for example.

“The producers of the show really liked Charlotte because they said she is so real, working in her family business. She is so passionate about the shop and she said there was one scene that she filmed where she ended up crying as she talks about working with her dad in his shops.”

Parents Shane and Beverley Lee have been running fish and chip shops for over 40 years and own four further takeaways in Southampton - The Codfather, Sonny’s, Best Fry and Mike’s.

Beverly adds: “When Charlotte told her dad she was going to be in the show, he said: ’It doesn’t mean you can let me down on a Friday night, you’ve still got to come to work!’”

She adds: “It’s going to be great for Charlotte and for the shop. All the locals have been really supportive and have been coming in saying they can’t wait to see her and their chippy on the tele.”

Absolutely Ascot is shown on ITVBe on Sundays at 10pm.