Sheridan Smith cries over her dad on Starstruck
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Sheridan Smith fans send support as she fights back tears on Starstruck

The actress and singer lost her dad in 2016

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Sheridan Smith struggled to hold back tears on last night’s Startstruck as she opened up about her dad’s death.

Fans rushed to support the actress as she admitted she had given up acting after he died.

Sheridan Smith fights back tears on Starstruck
Sheridan Smith fought back tears on Starstruck (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Sheridan Smith’s touching tribute to brother after his death

Sheridan Smith wells up

After a performance by a group of Celine Dion superfans, Sheridan gave her critique.

“I was so spellbound by you girls,” she said.

“Esther and Frankie smashed it out of the park. I loved all of the moves. Celine is dramatic and I love that about her, you nailed it.”

But she then singled out the third performer: “And Kayla, now I’ve got to not cry when I tell you this.”

Sheridan proceeded to open up about her dad’s death.

“I lost my dad and I stopped acting because of it. You keep doing what you love because you will have made him so proud tonight.”

Sheridan Smith wells up on Starstruck
Sheridan offered support to the Celine Dion performer (Credit: ITV)

Fans offer support

Kayla was crying and as Sheridan tried not to sob herself, fans at home weren’t so capable.

One wrote on Twitter: “Sheridan got me crying when she mentioned her dad.”

Others said the same and many sent their support to Sheridan over her loss.

Sheridan Smith smiles with her dad at the Olivier Awards
Sheridan was very close to her beloved father (Credit: SplashNews.com)

When did Sheridan Smith’s father die?

Sheridan’s dad, Colin, died in December 2016 after a battle with cancer.

A spokesperson for Sheridan said in a statement at the time: “Sheridan’s much loved father sadly passed away this week.”

The actress was understandably distraught and pulled out of the Royal Variety Performance that week.

She had already been away from her main role in the West End production of Funny Girl following Colin’s diagnosis.

sheridan smith no return
No Return is Sheridan’s lastest ITV drama offering (Credit: ITV)

Sheridan Smith’s return to acting

Sheridan has subsequently returned to the small screen in recent months.

She has appeared in The Teacher on Channel 5 and No Return on ITV, as well as being a judge on Starstruck.

However, not everyone is thrilled to see her on the talent show, with some claiming she’s making it “The Sheridan Show”. 

Others agreed and called her “overdramatic” and said she is “ruining it”.

Read more: Sheridan Smith’s best TV roles ranked

What is Starstruck?

Starstruck on ITV is a new singing competition with a twist that sees talented members of the public transform into the world’s biggest pop stars.

The super-fans team up and go head-to-head undergoing a massive makeover as they transform into their icon before stepping onto the stage to sing one of their biggest hits.

The contestant that makes it through to the final could win a whopping £50,000.

The panel will decide their favourite team of the night before the voting audience picks just one person to go through to the series final.

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Starstruck is on ITV on Saturday nights at 8.30pm.

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Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)