Help! Chimney wall / fireplace

[Bigbadllama]

Hey everyone,
I'm hoping to get some opinions on what you think may be going on here. This wall was hidden behind a plasterboard frame and it looks like there's been some damage at some point - there's no obvious lintel just the chimney plate (or does that double as a lintel?)

I am looking for advice on opening this up if it looks like a can of worms or an easy enough fix with a lintel and some TLC to replace broken bricks -- or is this a big shoddy mess?

None of the bricks line up to put a lintel in easily, I had thought of using some steel flat bars..any help or advice would be great. This isn't to be a working fire it's more for aesthetic.

 

[lostinthelight]

I think peeps able to help will need a picture taken from further away to show more of the wall

 

[Bigbadllama]

Sorry I thought I had attached one!

 

[Terrywookfit]

Make a feature of that fookin mess ???

Just give it a coat of 5-1 Unibond !!!

 

[Bigbadllama]

Well that's why I'm asking because I don't know what's possible!

 

[Terrywookfit]

What effect are trying to achieve ?

 

[Bigbadllama]

I would like to keep the brick and if possible open the badly mended face of the wall just for a little extra room. Or recess TV into the brick. I'm appreciating any response it's good to hear it's a shambles ha