Yahoo News Fears Grow For Sheridan Smith’s Health As Funny Girl Bosses ‘Fail To Confirm Star’s Return To West End Show’
Sheridan Smith is set to miss her planned return date to star in the hit show Funny Girl – prompting fresh fears over the status of her health.
The award-winning actress was expected to make her stage comeback on Friday (June 10) after taking a break with “stress and exhaustion” last month.
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But the promised announcement has not been made – with theatre bosses reportedly unable to confirm whether she would reprise her role as Fanny Brice in the West End musical.
“Sheridan was expected to be back for this weekend. The fact this has not happened is very worrying. Her time off was meant to refresh her batteries and get her head straight.
“But clearly it’s not worked and bosses feel she’s not ready to return,” a source told The Sun.
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The Cilla star, 34, cancelled a number of performances in April after audience members had complained that she appeared “drunk” on stage.
Consequently, she took some time out from the production while her understudy, Natasha J Barnes, was drafted in to replace her.
In a statement, Funny Girl producers confirmed that Smith was having a hard time and offered their support to the actress.
They sympathised: “We fully support Sheridan during this really difficult time and are encouraging her to task as much time off as she needs.
“We are doing everything possible to see that she gets appropriate care and support.”
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Natasha - who has won rave reviews for her performance as the leading lady - recently admitted that she “misses and worries” about her friend.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the 26-year-old explained: “This is absolutely the pinnacle of my career. Because for eight years I’ve been losing out to people who had bigger profiles than me and to be here now, and getting standing ovations is amazing.
"But because Sheridan’s a friend and we’re a family, it’s never going to feel whole without her here.
"When I’m on stage I don’t have time to consider it but backstage before and after the show there is this absence. I miss her and worry about her and I hope that she’s alright.”
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Smith removed herself from social media following a series of expletive-filled late night rants, but has recently appeared to ‘like’ Twitter comments about her part in Funny Girl, perhaps indicating that she might return soon.
While her presence is sorely missed, we hope that Sheridan takes all of the time that she needs to rest and recuperate.
