Escaping rising gas bills and plummeting temperatures, Sheridan Smith has immersed herself into the role of the iconic Shirley Valentine for a one-woman theatre show in London’s West End.
The actress described the show as “the biggest, most exciting opportunity of my life” as she adopts the characters of both Shirley, a housewife in her 40s who flees to Greece after becoming fed up with her ungrateful husband and children, and Costas, the handsome Greek taverna owner who woos her.
And while Sheridan, 41, who has acted in TV dramas including Mrs Biggs and Cilla, is used to seamlessly slipping in and out of character, an insider reveals the BAFTA award-winning actress has fallen head over heels for the famous ’80s plot, and is set upon finding her very own Costas once the curtains are drawn on the stage play.
A source says, “Sheridan is obsessed with the storyline of Shirley finding love with a man in Greece and just thinks it would be magical if she could do the same.
“She’s happy with her career, but still feels as though something is missing from her personal life, and that is a great love to share it all with.
“She’s been working like crazy without having a proper break and is desperate to fall in love with someone.”
Sheridan has been single since splitting from her boyfriend of four months, actor Alex Lawler, last January.
She’d gone public with their relationship and believed fate had brought them together after first dating in their twenties. But at the time of their amicable split, friends revealed the star had still been struggling with her break-up from ex-fiancé, Jamie Horn, the previous year.
After meeting on Tinder, Sheridan and insurance broker Jamie welcomed their son Billy in 2020, but split the following year, with friends close to Sheridan saying, “She’s devastated. She really thought he was The One.”
Now the source says that her friends are concerned that down-to-earth Sheridan will let her heart rule her head, as they warn her of the dangers of falling for the wrong type of men, especially when she’s on her own and away from home.
They add, “Sheridan would love some fun and company, but pals are worried that she could end up getting herself into trouble.
“She sometimes forgets she’s a big star and can be too trusting with men. They’re begging her to be careful and think about what she’s doing rather than just running away from her problems.
“They totally understand her wanting to let her hair down, but they really don’t want her to be sneaking off to some Greek island like Shirley Valentine!”
The insider said her friends are now making it their mission to reassure Sheridan that she’s loved by her friends and fans, so there’s no need to jet away from her real life.
They say, “Everyone is trying to bring Sheridan back down to earth and keep all the love and relationship drama on stage rather than in her personal life.
“Her friends think she’s doing amazing on her own and just needs to focus and feel the love through her work and fans. They’ve told Sheridan that she’s already got so much love and support. Having a man would be a nice bonus but it shouldn’t be everything.”