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Sheridan Smith ‘Not Famous Enough’ For Broadway

Sheridan Smith’s turbulent run in the West End has been hit by all kinds of problems, but the rave reviews she’s been attracting since returning from a much-publicised two month break must’ve provided some consolation.

Sheridan Smith
PA

However, there’s more bad news on the way. As the production enters its final few weeks, insiders say it looks increasingly unlikely that the former Gavin and Stacey star will be able to rekindle the role of Fanny Brice on Broadway – because she’s just not famous enough.

Ouch.

Sheridan Smith
PA

“Things aren’t looking good,” an insider told The Daily Mail. “US producers want a big name for the musical. She’s never done Broadway before. If you’re not famous or a movie or TV star in the US, forget it.”

It’s a massive blow for the 35-year-old star, who bowed out of the show in May citing “stress and exhaustion”. She’s been a staple of the tabloids throughout the show’s run, and one performance was even cut short amid claims she was ‘drunk and slurring’.

Her comeback has proved a massive hit, with dozens of fans congregating at the stage door every night for the chance to meet her. So much so, in fact, that her bosses told her off for chatting too much.

Sheridan Smith
ITV

In a statement, producers Sonia Friedman, David Babani and Scott Landis told The Sun: “Given the number of people at stage door and the amount of time it takes for Sheridan to see everyone, we – the producers – advised Sheridan not to sign every night, particularly during the heatwave.

“In our experience it is unrealistic to expect a leading actor to sign after every performance.”

Still, whether Sheridan actually WANTED the Broadway job remains something of a mystery. At least this way we get to keep her to ourselves.