Sheridan Smith is one of the UK’s most beloved actresses, making us laugh in Gavin and Stacey and cry in the dramatic Mrs. Biggs – and that’s without mentioning her work on stage.
So the whole nation was concerned last year when it appeared her life was slowly going off the rails.
She quit her high-profile role in the West End, on Funny Girl, after fans accused her of being drunk on stage and not knowing her lines properly.
And shortly afterwards she took off to a retreat where she sought help for her anxiety and symptoms of depression.
So she’s been keeping a fairly low profile over the last 12 years or so, but that’s set to come to an end as a fitter-than-ever Sheridan will be back on our screens tonight.
In an hour long showcase on ITV, Sheridan talks about her battles with depression after her father passed away, and also discusses her romantic life.
She’ll also be showing off her famously impressive pipes by singing songs from her forthcoming album, one of which she describes as “a cheeky wink to my meltdown” – Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy.
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Of her difficulty, she said: “I lost my mind a bit. Everyone can relate, because everyone has been through that type of thing. You can’t choose when it happens but you come out the other side stronger.”
She also discusses her love life, shrugging off previous romances with actor Greg Wood and Love Island contestant Jordan Ring before settling down with hairdresser Graham Nation. She said: “I need someone who makes me laugh. My dad set the bar high.”
Sheridan lost her father Colin to colon cancer last year, and struggled with the loss – as anybody would – although her difficulties were increased by being in the public eye, and her professional career going from strength to strength.
Brave Sheridan had been affected by cancer before – when her older brother died as she was just eight years old. Sheridan then went on to star in drama The C Word, saying at the time: “Of course I’ve been affected by my brother’s death… It makes me value life, cherish my loved ones and be grateful for every day I have with them.
“Cancer affects one in three of us and every single one of us either knows someone who has been affected by it or has experienced it first-hand. And yet it’s treated as a taboo subject.
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“It’s never on telly. We should talk about it. It’s a hideous disease and we need to try to fight it.”
The self-titled programme is on tonight at 9pm on ITV1, and is sure to contain lots more juicy information about Sheridan – not to mention the chance to hear her sing some cracking tunes!