Film director John Baxter discovered Hazel at her father's dance studio in London.
She was made the star of his upcoming film Talking Feet (1937), a "quota quickie" about a girl's attempt to raise money for a local hospital by putting on a show.
[2] Ascot was one of two child stars at the time who were billed as the "British Shirley Temple", the other being Binkie Stuart.
[3] In 1943, Ascot appeared in "Magic Carpet", a West End revue at the Princes Theatre, alongside Kay Kendall and her sister Kim.
The police emphasised that Ascot was not aware of or associated in any way with the activities of the gang, but "though she has nothing to do with these deviants, she has become an icon for paedophiles.