Director Leigh films cancer ads

Leigh was recently Oscar nominated for Vera Drake

Oscar-nominated director Mike Leigh has directed the prime minister's wife Cherie Blair in a commercial to raise money for breast cancer research.

The adverts, filmed a few weeks ago, also feature a number of other celebrities, including actress Alison Steadman and TV presenter Zoe Ball.

Mrs Blair is a patron of the charity Breast Cancer Care, for which the commercials have been created.

It is the first time a Prime Minister's wife has appeared in an advert.

Donated

Mrs Blair, who donated her services to the new campaign for free, has been involved with the charity since 1997. Her aunt, Audrey, died of the disease 10 years earlier.

Others involved in the campaign include actress and TV presenter Denise van Outen, model Jerry Hall and broadcaster Joan Bakewell.

Mike Leigh was recently nominated for best director and best original screenplay at the Oscars for the drama Vera Drake.

He has also directed a number of commercials in the past.