Sheridan Smith reveals struggle to lose weight after BBC role

Sheridan Smith has revealed she is struggling to lose weight after ‘bulking up’ for a TV role.

The actress, 35, put on weight to play Julie Bushby in BBC drama The Moorside, which documented the 2008 disappearance of Shannon Matthews.

Speaking about changing her shape to get into character, she told The Sun: “I put on some weight for The Moorside and I’ve still got a load, but I’m trying to lose it.

“I wanted to get into the character and became very good friends with Julie. Julie is a lot taller than me so it was about bulking up.

“We spoke lots and I tried to get her accent, she’s an incredible woman and we still speak a lot.”

Smith was speaking at Sunday night’s Olivier Awards where she was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Funny Girl.

But Smith, who won praise for her role as Fanny Brice in Michael Mayer's first major revival of the 1964 Broadway musical, failed to fight off tough competition from Dreamgirls star Amber Riley.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child had a magical night, taking home a record-breaking nine gongs including Best New Play and Best Director.

Jamie Parker was crowned Best Actor for his performance as Harry Potter, Noma Dumezweni won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Hermione while Anthony Boyle, who played Draco Malfoy’s son Scorpius, took home the prize for Best Supporting Actor.