Content warning: this article contains references to suicide.

As part of Channel 4’s Pride coverage, a new documentary aired last night (Monday 4 July) that uncovers the story of one of Britain’s most iconic transgender pioneers.

The Extraordinary Life Of April Ashley tells the story of celebrated trans icon April Ashley. Her life was one of notoriety; she went from a sailor in the merchant navy and became a Vogue model and a mainstay in the inner circles of London’s high society.

The documentary chronicles the highs and lows of Ashley’s life, from model, dancer and pioneer for transgender equality. Whether you’re familiar with Ashley’s story or not, one thing’s for certain: after watching this documentary, you’ll be left in awe of Ashley’s life and legacy. 

Ashley passed away in 2021 at the age of 86. She has since been hailed as a “trans trailblazer”, not least because of her incredibly moving story.

Born into a working-class family in Liverpool, she was one of nine siblings. She went on to join the merchant navy as a teen but after multiple suicide attempts, was placed ashore and in a psychiatric unit before moving to London and then on to Paris.

While in the French capital, she saved enough money for the gender reassignment procedure, and in 1960, Ashley became only the second Briton to undergo male-to-female gender reassignment surgery.

Once back in the UK, she obtained a driving license and passport that identified her as female and she went on to be photographed for Vogue and even had a small role in The Road To Hong Kong alongside Bing Crosby and Joan Collins.  

But her career was sadly cut short when, in 1961, she was outed as transgender by the Sunday People newspaper. It wasn’t widely known at the time that she was transgender, but what ensued was a media spectacle and scandal and it led to Ashley quickly becoming the centre of unwanted attention. She even had her The Road To Hong Kong film credit dropped.

She went on to marry aristocrat Arthur Cameron Corbett in 1963, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1970. Subsequently, the divorce proceedings garnered even more attention because they led to a landmark legal ruling in the case known as Corbett v Corbett. The judge annulled their marriage, ruling Ashley as a biological man and therefore deeming the marriage invalid. 

It was a humiliating time for Ashley, but she went on to open a Knightsbridge restaurant. However, she later had a heart attack in 1975, which led her to move to the US. In 2005, she was legally recognised as female in light of the Gender Recognition Act, and in 2012, Ashley was made an MBE for her campaigning work for the transgender community.

The Channel 4 documentary not only tells Ashley’s story but also includes interviews with a stellar cast of contributors. As the synopsis reads: “The film will take the audience inside the intimate reality of the transgender experience, and explore how this celebrated trailblazer paved the way for future generations of transgender people.”

Upon airing, viewers were quick to take to social media to express their gratitude over such an insightful documentary. Ultimately, though, it gave many an opportunity to celebrate Ashley and her life:

One user proclaimed it to be “the most heartbreakingly beautiful and brutally honest hour of television that everyone should watch”:

The documentary really is an example of a well-executed film that many lapped up very happily:

And it gave incredible insight into the trials and tribulations Ashley had to live through but is a poignant reminder around her legacy and trans rights today:

The Extraordinary Life Of April Ashley is available to watch on All4.

Images: Channel 4; Getty