Sheridan Smith

Early life and education

Sheridan Caroline Sian Smith was born on 25 June 1981 Sheridan had an older brother Julian, who died of cancer at the age of 18. Smith studied dance at the Joyce Mason School of Dancing from an early age. She later attended South Axholme Comprehensive School; she was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre from 1995 to 2001, performing a number of understudy roles in productions such as Bugsy Malone, Pendragon, and Into the Woods. She completed her further education at John Leggott College in Scunthorpe.

Career

Film and television

From 1999 to 2000, Smith played Emma in The Royle Family. She played Janet Keogh in the long-running series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps from 2001 until 2009.

In 2000 Smith played the role of Lyn Marsh in the Heartbeat episode "A Shot in the Dark". In 2000 she also played a wayward teenager in "Where the Heart is". This was followed in February 2003, when she appeared in Heartbeat's sister programme The Royal, where she played the part of Francesca Wheeler, a teenage girl who was suffering from leukaemia in the episode "Immediate Care."

In 2004, she made a one-episode appearance in Mile High as Suzy, an airport cleaner who impersonates a flight attendant in an attempt to become cabin crew. She also featured in The Comic Strips 2005 episode "Sex Actually" as Angie.

Smith played Cleo Martin in Love Soup (2005) and starred as Michelle, a hypocritical nutritionist, in three series of the sitcom Grownups (2006–2009). She has also appeared on The Lenny Henry Show as M.E. Westmocott, a role spoofing the various medical examiners on CSI. In the 2009 Two Pints of Lager Comic Relief special, which crossed over with Grownups, she played her characters from both series.

Smith has also appeared in a number of other shows including the BBC's Eyes Down, in which she played Sandy, and smaller parts in shows such as The Bill and Fat Friends. She featured as Rudi, Smithy's little sister, in the second and third series of the BBC Three sitcom Gavin & Stacey. She guest starred in the Christmas 2008 episode of Lark Rise to Candleford. Since 2009, she has played Joey Ross in special seasonal episodes of Jonathan Creek, namely "The Grinning Man" (2009), "The Judas Tree" (2010), and "The Clue of the Savant's Thumb" (2013). She played Brandy in the third series of Benidorm*.*

During 2010, Smith acted as a mentor to the contestants of the BBC show Over the Rainbow. Sky Arts' Chekhov Comedy Shorts also featured Smith in 2010 when she starred as Natasha in The Proposal. She appeared in the 2011 film Hysteria, about the invention of the vibrator. For the factual hospital series Bizarre ER, she took over narration duties from Freema Agyeman. She appeared in the 2012 ITV film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's novel The Scapegoat.

In September 2012 Smith played the title role in Mrs Biggs, a five-part series on ITV. In 2013, she appeared in the Channel 4 series Dates. In January 2014, she starred in the two-part BBC drama The 7.39. In March 2014, she appeared in the ITV crime drama The Widower as the first wife of serial killer Malcolm Webster. Later that year, she featured in the series Who Do You Think You Are? and played Cilla Black in the three-part ITV drama series Cilla.

In 2015 she starred as cancer patient Lisa Lynch in the one-off BBC drama The C Word and as policewoman Jo Gillespie in the three-part ITV drama Black Work, which was nominated for a National Television Award in 2016.

Smith narrated the reality series Bear Grylls: Mission Survive from 2015. The show was nominated for a National Television Award in 2016 but was cancelled after two series. In February 2017, she starred in The Moorside, a BBC drama based on the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews in 2008.

She appeared in her own ITV music special in November 2017. Titled Sheridan, the one-off special presented by Alexander Armstrong saw her performing some of the songs from her album, and talking about her life.

In December 2017, Smith starred as evil step-mum Sheila in the television adaptation of David Walliams' children's book, Ratburger. It was broadcast on Sky One. In January 2019, she appeared as Sam in ITV drama series Cleaning Up.

In January 2021, Smith appeared as a guest judge in the second series of the BBC drag competition series, RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Later in 2021, she presented the BBC dog-grooming competition Pooch Perfect.

In January 2022, Smith starred as Jenna in The Teacher, a drama series about a drinking, smoking, hard-living teacher who is accused of sleeping with one of her students. Critics generally were positive of Smith, with one reviewer for The Independent praising her performance as "so much flair and vulnerability" and rating the show 4/5 stars. In June 2022, Smith narrated all episodes of Channel 5 docusoap The Cruise. In 2023, Smith began filming The Castaways for Paramount+.

In 2025, Smith starred in ITV's I Fought the Law, a four-part crime series based on Ann Ming's non-fiction book For the Love of Julie, detailing a long campaign to overturn the British double jeopardy law following the murder of her daughter. The show, and Smith's performance, received widespread acclaim from critics. Writing in The Times, Carol Midgely gave it five stars, stating that I Fought The Law was "Unforgettable... Four beautifully written episodes... If [Sheridan Smith] doesn't win an award, it will be a travesty." Deborah Ross also gave it five stars in the Mail on Sunday, calling it "remarkable in every way" and praising the final scene in particular as "one of the most tender, affecting and wonderfully judged moments ever on TV".

Theatre

Smith's theatre credits include the musical Into the Woods at London's Donmar Warehouse, and Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park. She also played Audrey in the stage production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London, from November 2006, with the production then transferring to the Duke of York's Theatre in March 2007. Following a successful run the production moved again at the end of June 2007 to the New Ambassadors Theatre, where its played until September 2007. Smith was nominated for the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance in the show.

Smith appeared as Vanessa in Tinderbox: a Revenge Comedy by Lucy Kirkwood at the Bush Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, in April 2008. Smith originated the role of Elle Woods in the musical version of Legally Blonde in its transfer from Broadway to London's West End in December 2009. Ex-Blue boyband member Duncan James played opposite Smith until June 2010, when he was replaced by Richard Fleeshman. Other cast members Smith has performed alongside include Aoife Mulholland as Brooke, Denise Van Outen as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett Forrest. Her performance was well received, The Daily Telegraph describing her as: "blessed with vitality, warmth, great comic timing and sudden moments of touching vulnerability. She is infinitely more likeable than Reese Witherspoon in the film."

Smith's run in Legally Blonde was due to finish on 23 October 2010, but her run was extended to 8 January 2011. For her role in Legally Blonde, Smith won the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was also nominated for the Evening Standard Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress and was the winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Between March and June 2011, she appeared in Trevor Nunn's production of Flare Path at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket as Doris, a former barmaid married to a Polish count in the RAF. The production was part of the playwright Terence Rattigan's centenary year celebrations and also starred Sienna Miller and James Purefoy. For this role she won the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, the 2011 Evening Standard Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress and the BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

As well as her role in Legally Blonde, Smith also performed the title role in the workshop productions of a new musical adaptation of Bridget Jones' Diary. On 5 April 2012, it was announced that Smith had decided to pull out of the musical, delaying the production of the show.

From September to November 2012, Smith played the title role in Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic, winning the 2013 Theatregoers' Choice Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in a Play. Shortly before collecting her award at the ceremony on 17 February 2013, Smith performed the original song "Stagey and Proud", which was written by Chris Passey and Amy Carroll. From September to November 2013, she starred alongside David Walliams in a West End production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, as part of Michael Grandage's season of plays at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Smith starred in a new London production of the musical Funny Girl. It previewed at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 20 November 2015, opened on 2 December and ran until 6 March 2016. The show then transferred to the Savoy Theatre in the West End for a 12-week run, but extended through 8 October 2016. Sheridan Smith states in The Stage that she is married to the job. Smith continued with the role throughout its UK Tour.

Smith played the Narrator in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium over the 2019 summer season with Jason Donovan as The Pharaoh and Jac Yarrow as Joseph. From March 2024, she starred as Myrtle in Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End. The show's music and lyrics were written by Rufus Wainwright.

Radio

Smith played companion Lucie Miller alongside Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor in a radio series of Doctor Who, produced by Big Finish and transmitted on BBC 7 from New Year's Eve 2006; the plays returned in a second series released on CD and scheduled for BBC 7 broadcast. A third series of adventures for Lucie and the Doctor aired in March 2009, as weekly half-hour downloads followed by a Christmas Special. Lucie Miller made her final appearances in the fourth series, ending in 2011. She also narrated two Big Finish Short Trips stories, "The Curse of the Fugue" and "Flashpoint." Smith has reprised her role as Lucie Miller opposite McGann's Eighth Doctor in The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller, released in July 2019. Smith also appeared as Ruby Ruggles in the 2008 radio serial The Way We Live Right Now, and took over the role of Tamsin Trelawny in series 2 of Elephants to Catch Eels on BBC Radio 4.

Personal life

Smith has spoken about her anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulties with alcohol and tattoos. In December 2023, she spoke of her tattoo regrets and her intention not to add any further ink to her skin.

Smith was in a relationship with James Corden from 2007 until 2009. She was in a relationship with Jamie Horn, an insurance broker, between 2018 and 2021. Together they have a son, born in May 2020.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Filmography

Film

Television

Non-acting television

Theatre

Awards and nominations

Music

;Classic BRIT Awards

Theatre

;BroadwayWorld UK Awards

;Evening Standard Awards

;Laurence Olivier Awards

;Manchester Theatre Awards

;Whatsonstage.com Audience Awards

Television

;AACTA Awards

;BAFTA TV Awards

;Emmy Awards

;National Television Awards

;Royal Television Society Awards

;TV Choice Award

;Women in Film & Television Awards

Notes

References

References

1. (30 December 2014). "New Year Honours List Sees Joan Collins, Sheridan Smith, James Corden, John Hurt, Kristin Scott Thomas Recognised By The Queen". Huffington Post.
2. (2 Dec 2016). "The Telegraph".
3. Jeffries, Stuart. (19 March 2013). "From slappers to Hedda Gabler: the irresistible rise of Sheridan Smith". The Guardian.
4. [http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/pictures/STAR-PUPILS-REVEALED-Famous-people-Scunthorpe/pictures-26690493-detail/pictures.html Star Pupils Revealed at Scunthorpe Telegraph] {{webarchive. link. (1 November 2015 . Retrieved 9 July 2016)
5. Emine Saner. (19 September 2014). "Sheridan Smith struggles with mounting acclaim over Cilla portrayal". The Guardian.
6. Press Association. (12 May 2016). "Sheridan Smith abandons Funny Girl role suffering from stress and exhaustion". The Daily Telegraph.
7. "When Janet Met Michelle". BBC.
8. Simon, Jane. (2009-10-01). "Benidorm - ITV1, 9pm".
9. (12 November 2010). "'Chek' out Isle actress Sheridan Smith's latest TV Proposal". This is Scunthorpe.
10. (12 November 2010). "Sheridan Smith to film three-and-a-half-minute-long orgasm scene". Mirror Newspaper.
11. Guest, Alex. (7 November 2011). "Matthew Rhys to star in ITV1 film of du Maurier's The Scapegoat". [[TV Pixie]].
12. Frost, Caroline. (12 November 2012). "TV REVIEW: Sheridan Smith As Mrs Biggs Was Not Laughing Her Way To The Bank".
13. (17 March 2014). "Sheridan Smith's Cilla Black drama adds Aneurin Barnard". [[Digital Spy]].
14. Wollaston, Sam. (4 May 2015). "The C-Word review – a wonderful testament to a woman who faced cancer with honesty, verve and wit".
15. Bayley, Leanne. (May 2015). "Sheridan Smith will make us cry in The C-Word. Fact.".
16. (20 January 2016). "National Television Awards 2016: Winners list".
17. (2017-02-08). "The Moorside: Sheridan Smith drama praised by critics". BBC News.
18. "Sheridan Smith to front "lavish" ITV "extravaganza" celebrating her music, life and career".
19. Fullerton, Huw. (18 October 2017). "First look at Sheridan Smith and David Walliams in Sky's Christmas comedy Ratburger".
20. Lazarus, Susanna. (12 April 2019). "Sheridan Smith is not the problem with Cleaning Up – so why all the online hate?".
21. Mangan, Lucy. (9 January 2019). "Cleaning Up review: Sheridan Smith's stock keeps on rising".
22. Miller, Adam. (22 January 2021). "Drag Race UK series 2: Sheridan Smith weeps as Cherry Valentine and Tayce break hearts with emotional lip-sync".
23. "Pooch Perfect".
24. Robinson, Abby. (1 February 2022). "The Teacher starring Sheridan Smith: Release date, plot and news updates".
25. O'Grady, Sean. (31 January 2022). "The Teacher review: There's no one better than Sheridan Smith at performing with so much flair and vulnerability".
26. (19 June 2022). "The Cruise".
27. Roberts, Hannah. (2023-12-11). "Sheridan Smith says she 'regretted' her tattoos while filming The Castaways".
28. "Cleaning Up star Sheridan Smith: 'My skin is paper thin'".
29. Wolf, Matt. (27 March 2008). "Q&A: Sheridan Smith". Broadway.com.
30. (5 July 2008). "The British Theatre Guide: News for 7th May 2006". British Theatre Guide.
31. Wolf, Matt. (7 February 2008). "Hairspray, Parade Lead Olivier Noms; War Horse Rides High Among Plays". Broadway.com.
32. "The What's On / Productions: Tinderbox". Bush Theatre Website.
33. (16 March 2009). "Sheridan Smith Nabs Legally Blonde's Elle???". Whatsonstage.com.
34. (16 March 2009). "Duncan James Gets Legal with Sheridan Smith???". Whatsonstage.com.
35. Davies, Serena. (19 January 2010). "Sheridan Smith: a West End star is born – Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph.
36. Dillon, Luke. (2010-08-27). "Sheridan Stays Blonde, Van Outen joins {{!}} West End Theatre".
37. [http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831298005472/Full+List%3A+2011+Whatsonstage.com+Award+Winners.html Full List: 2011 Whatsonstage.com Award Winners] {{webarchive. link. (4 November 2012 whatsonstage.com, 20 February 2011)
38. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/145220-Shortlist-Announced-for-2010-London-Evening-Standard-Theatre-Awards Shortlist Announced for 2010 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards] {{webarchive. link. (27 November 2010 ''Playbill'')
39. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/148730-Legally-Blonde-Into-the-Woods-Clybourne-Park-After-the-Dance-Among-Olivier-Award-Winners-in-London ''Legally Blonde'', ''Into the Woods'', ''Clybourne Park'', ''After the Dance'' Among Olivier Award Winners in London] {{webarchive. link. (20 October 2012 . ''Playbill''.(13 March 2011).)
40. [https://archive.today/20130505062806/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/35848/matilda-the-musical-wins-seven-gongs-at-the Matilda the Musical wins seven gongs at the 2012 Olivier Awards – News]. The Stage. {{dead link. (May 2016)
41. (20 November 2011). "Frankenstein stars win Evening Standard Theatre Awards". BBC News.
42. Diamond, Robert. "2011 BWW UK Award Winners Announced! ROCK OF AGES, GHOST, WIZARD and PHANTOM All Win!".
43. Eden, Richard. (10 July 2011). "Author Helen Fielding hails the musical new Bridget Jones, Sheridan Smith". The Daily Telegraph.
44. "2013 Results - 16th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards".
45. Feast Creative. "Analysis: Sweeney, JCS & Bodyguard triumph at 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards". Awards.whatsonstage.com.
46. Gans, Andrew and Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/watch-londons-funny-girl-sheridan-smith-sing-video-358092# "Watch London's ''Funny Girl'', Sheridan Smith, Sing! (Video)"] {{webarchive. link. (21 September 2015 ''Playbill'', August 2015)
47. Mitford, Oliver. [https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/funny-girl-west-end "Funny Girl is headed for the West End!"] {{webarchive. link. (18 November 2015 ''London Box Office'', 29 October 2015)
48. "Funny Girl Announces Further West End Extension Ahead of Opening".
49. Shenton, Mark. (16 January 2016). "Sheridan Smith Married to the Job". The Stage.
50. (2019-07-12). "Was Joseph at The Palladium a critic's dream?".
51. Rook, Olivia. (2023-12-14). "Further casting announced for new West End musical 'Opening Night'".
52. Riley, Kate. (2023-11-10). "Sheridan Smith will star in new West End musical 'Opening Night'".
53. Lukowski, Andrzej. (2023-11-13). "Sheridan Smith will return to the West End next year to star in new musical 'Opening Night'".
54. Harrison, Ellie. "Doctor Who: Sheridan Smith to star in new audio series with Eighth Doctor {{!}} Radio Times".
55. . (31 August 2018). ["Lucie Miller returns!"](https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/lucie-miller-returns).
56. (3 November 2018). "Sheridan Smith: 'I just fell apart. I lost my mind for a time there'". The Guardian.
57. (23 June 2019). "Sheridan Smith says she was drunk when she blamed fiance's mum for dog death". The Irish News.
58. "BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Mica Paris, Is Facebook dangerous for kids? Regretting your tattoos".
59. O'Toole, Scarlett. (2023-04-28). "James Corden's love life from Sheridan Smith heartache to Lily Allen encounter".
60. (9 May 2020). "'Our little man has arrived!' Sheridan Smith welcomes baby boy". Evening Standard.
61. "Sheridan Smith 'overwhelmed with love' after she gives birth to baby boy".
62. Elliott-Gibbs, Sam. (2021-07-20). "Sheridan Smith takes her mind off split by spending quality time with son Billy".
63. "Sheridan Smith {{!}} full Official Chart history". [[Official Charts Company]].
64. "BRIT Certified - bpi". [[British Phonographic Industry]].
65. "Gary Barlow & Sheridan Smith - How Christmas Is Supposed To Be".
66. [http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/pilots/friday_night_club/ "The Friday Night Club – Pilot"] {{webarchive. link. (26 October 2012, ''British Comedy Guide''. Retrieved 2012-11-18.)
67. "The Barking Murders".
68. "Katherine Ryan, Romesh Ranganathan comedy leads bumper Sky slate".
69. "First-look image released of David Walliams, Sheridan Smith and Archie Yates in Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!".
70. Whittle, Nathalie. (29 August 2024). ""A heartbreaking true story": Sheridan Smith's I Fought The Law is the "harrowing" drama to watch this weekend".
71. (24 March 2025). "BBC announces new drama The Cage, starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha".
72. "Press Releases".
73. "Sheridan Smith: Coming Home".
74. "Rupauls Drag Race Uk".
75. "Sheridan Smith to star in new musical Opening Night".
76. (2 May 2018). "The nominations for the Classic BRIT Awards have been revealed".
77. (8 April 2015). "BAFTA TV Awards: Benedict Cumberbatch Gets Third Nomination for 'Sherlock'". The Hollywood Reporter.