Sheridan Smith Pulls Out Of 'Funny Girl' Performance Again, Blames Negative Media At BAFTA Awards

Her absence followed a big night at the BAFTA Awards.

Sheridan Smith's fans were left disappointed last night, after the star pulled out of her West End performance of 'Funny Girl', telling her fans "Sorry! I'm not strong enough" - 24 hours after she'd suffered her own disappointment at the BAFTA Awards.

Sheridan was due to play Fanny Brice in her sell-out show in London's West End on Monday evening, but earlier in the day, the Savoy Theatre announced that her understudy would be stepping in, "due to the indisposition of Sheridan Smith”.

Sheridan blamed negative media for her decision not to perform
Sheridan blamed negative media for her decision not to perform
Mike Marsland via Getty Images

The news came the morning after Sheridan had lost out at the BAFTAs. She had been strongly tipped to take home the Award for Best Lead Actress for her role in TV drama 'The C Word', but she was pipped by Suranne Jones for 'Doctor Foster'. 'The C Word' also lost out in the Best Drama category.

Sheridan shared her disappointment, not for herself but for Lisa Lynch, the late subject of the moving drama about Jane's real-life blog about her illness.

She also revealed on her Twitter account that her decision to pull out of 'Funny Girl' on Monday was because she felt the media were being negative towards her. She told her followers "I apologise profusely. Sorry! I'm not strong enough."

Sheridan has been getting strong reviews for her performance as Fanny Brice
Sheridan has been getting strong reviews for her performance as Fanny Brice
Savoy Theatre

She was no doubt referring to claims that she'd been a sore loser on Sunday evening, and allegations that she had slurred her words on the red carpet prior to the ceremony.

The actress had had a better time at the party following Sunday's Awards, where she hung out with a string of other stars. Rapper Professor Green shared a picture with the actress on his Instagram account - he captioned the shot: "Bumped into this little rocket" - and she was also snapped talking to 'Musketeers' actor Luke Pasqualino,

Hanging out with Professor Green at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday evening
Hanging out with Professor Green at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday evening
StephenManderson/Instagram

It has been a rocky road for the 'Cilla' star in recent weeks. Despite getting strong reviews for her performance in 'Funny Girl', she had to pull out of the show a month ago, when she shared her father's cancer diagnosis, and a fortnight ago, the show was abandoned only 15 minutes into the show, due to "technical difficulties".

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