She ended 2023 with a bang, as the loved-up star enjoyed the festive season with her new beau, Dave Ryan, after wrapping-up another hugely successful year of hit performances.
Last month, a glowing Sheridan Smith, 42, vowed, “I had a bit of a moment – but now I’m back,” as she reflected on hitting rock bottom following the death of her beloved dad, Colin, in 2016.
And friends say the BAFTA-winning star – who’s mum to three-year-old son Billy – is hell-bent on putting the trauma and heartache of the last seven years behind her, and making 2024 her year.
A source says, “Sheridan’s on a high right now and truly believes 2024 is going to be the turning point for her in every aspect of her life.
“She’s head-over-heels in love with Dave, her career is booming, Billy is thriving and she finally feels as if her life is back on track, both professionally and personally.
“After hitting rock bottom, Sheridan wasn’t sure she’d ever get back to a place where she felt truly content and happy again, let alone planning a future with a man who’s made her feel on top of the world.”
Fans went wild after the Cilla star went “Instagram official” with the boxing champion in October, following a romantic getaway with the 40-year-old dad-of-three.
Later that month, the couple made their debut at actress Jaime Winstone’s Italian wedding.
Her new relationship came two years after her heartbreaking split from her “rock”, Billy’s dad, Jamie Horn, in July 2021.
Sheridan met the insurance broker through dating app Tinder in 2018 – two years after she was forced to take a break from the spotlight after “falling apart” and confessing she self-medicated to cope with the death of her dad.
Following a whirlwind engagement, the pair announced they were expecting their first baby in November 2019, both appearing in the ITV documentary Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum, in which she candidly explored mental health issues in pregnancy.
Sheridan – who’s been open about her battle with depression and anxiety in the past – revealed how she almost died after abruptly coming off her anti-anxiety medication and spoke about the lack of support she received being a first-time mum during the pandemic.
Despite her personal struggles, her career has continued to go from strength-to-strength. She’s fronted countless hit-TV dramas, starred in the West End run of Shirley Valentine and, most recently, took the lead in a five-part thriller for Paramount+ called Castaways, which hit screens on Boxing Day.
And after pouring herself into work throughout 2023, pals say she’s ready to slow down in the hope of becoming a mum again.
After going public with Dave, insiders tell Closer that the smitten pair have already spoken about starting a family together, amid Sheridan’s longing to have a second child.
The source says, “Sheridan’s ready to give Billy a sibling and, with her 43rd birthday coming up in June, she knows she doesn’t have time to waste.
“While she knows it may seem quick, she’s told friends that Dave is The One, and watching him with Billy and his own children has made her even more certain of that.
“They’ve talked about maybe trying next year, as they would love to add to their family. Sheridan loves being a mum more than anything.
“Hitting rock bottom and enduring the overwhelming grief, pain and heartache she’s experienced over the last few years has made Sheridan look at life with a very different perspective, and she’s absolutely adamant that nothing will ever pull her down to that dark place again.
“She and Dave have spoken about marriage but, right now, their focus is on enjoying their love bubble and hopefully having a baby together this year.
“Sheridan’s determined to make this her best year yet and insists that with Dave in her life, as well as her little family, it already is. As far as she’s concerned, a baby would just be the cherry on top.”