Sheridan Smith’s dad loses his battle with cancer

SHERIDAN Smith has been left devastated by the death of her dad Colin.

The 35-year-old actress’s 80-year-old father passed away after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

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In a statement released this morning, her spokeswoman said: “Sheridan’s much loved father sadly passed away this week. We can confirm that she will not be performing at the Royal Variety Performance this Tuesday 6th December.

“At this difficult time for Sheridan and her family we would ask that you please respect their privacy.”

The shattering blow comes at the end of a heartbreaking year for the star - which saw her take two months off for “stress and exhaustion” weeks after his diagnosis.

Concerns were raised for Sheridan in April when a performance of the show was cut short with audience members claiming she was drunk.

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The troubled actress then took two months off from the West End show in May to recover.

Later that month she was rushed to hospital by ambulance after collapsing at A-list retreat Champneys where she was taking time out to get better.

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On her return to the show in July, she wore a pendant with the words “My dad my hero” inscribed on it.

She originally pulled out of a performance of the hit musical at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre in March after she learnt of his illness.

At the time, she hit out at someone on Twitter who criticised her for missing the show.

She wrote: “If u just found out ur dad had cancer u would t be such a heartless human. Take care love.”

Earlier, she had hinted she would quit the show for good unless she received a pay rise to care for her father.

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She tweeted: “Had s**t news 2day,sorry I can’t make the show for u loyal fans,if u ask they give u tix to the Savoy!”

The Cilla star added, “Decision made! Bye,” which she followed with, “Unless I get enough money to look after my dad.”

The death of her father comes 27 years after her brother Julian died of cancer when he was 18, and she was aged just eight.

She spoke about dealing with his death last year when she played breast cancer sufferer Lisa Lynch in telly drama The C Word.

She said 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.

“It’s never on telly. We should talk about it. It’s a hideous disease and we need to try to fight it.”

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