// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
'Not only did I survive, I thrived' - Meera Syal
Dame Meera Syal's new memoir discusses her upbringing, motherhood and the challenges she encountered in her career
Dame Meera Syal has said she "almost gave up" her career after being sexually harassed and assaulted by two "predators" within the media industry.
"I was out of work, I was homeless, sleeping on people's floors, and then these two things happened in quite quick succession," the Wolverhampton-born star said in a candid interview with BBC Asian Network's Amber Haque.
In her new memoir, Vigilauntie, which was published on Thursday, the actress shared that both incidents happened in her 20s, as she was struggling to secure a role.
Now aged 65, she has opened up about the harrowing experiences and reflected on how she overcame them to become one of the most well-known faces on British TV.
Syal (left) in Goodness Gracious Me! with co-star Nina Wadia
"It could have been a point where I gave up," she explained.
"It put some fire in my belly because the reason I wanted to tell these stories is that I did survive, and not only did I survive, I thrived.
"The anger of the injustice of the situation made me seek out a bunch of women that changed the course of my life."
Syal described the first incident as "my first casting couch approach".