Background
Ella was born in London, where she currently lives with her mother. Ella has three younger brothers by her father.
Ella was born in London, where she currently lives with her mother. Ella has three younger brothers by her father.
She attended Forest School, formerly attended City of London School for Girls and began Year 10 in September 2011. She also attended Young Actors" Theatre Islington.
She used to attend weekly classes at Sylvia Young Theatre School, studying acting, singing and dance, and was formerly represented by their in-house talent agency, Young "Uns (now known as Sylvia Young Agency). She is now however represented by The Rights House. In 2008, she beat hundreds of other girls for a role in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London.
She was one of only a few girls chosen to appear in the children"s ensemble and remained in the show for a year.
Purnell also recently appeared in the British Broadcasting Corporation HD Short Candy in June 2011.