Debbie Chazen was born in London to Freda, a teacher of French and German, and Arnold, a singer. From them she gets her language skills and alto voice. She was awarded a scholarship to study at the prestigious St Paul's Girls' School and then went on to study Russian and Spanish at Manchester University. At 24, she finally followed her lifelong ambition and started at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where she was awarded both the Patricia Lawrence Scholarship and the Laurence Olivier Bursary. Debbie has been called a "chameleon", due to her ability to morph into any character and act in any accent. She is married to Michael Korel, a writer and tarot card reader, and they live in North West London.
Speaks five languages - Russian, French, Spanish, German and English.
Was diagnosed with breast cancer November 2009 while starring in "Calendar Girls" in the West End. The Independent Magazine on Saturday serialised her diary of her experiences, entitled "Making the Breast of Things; Cancer, Calendar Girls and Me.".
Lost a total of 10 stone in 11 months on the Lighter Life diet.
