Sheridan Smith breaks silence on Graham Norton joke, Baftas humiliation and the health crisis that followed
Sheridan Smith at the Olivier Awards 2024
Award-winning actress Sheridan Smith has spoken candidly about one of the most difficult moments of her career, a Baftas joke made by Graham Norton that she says left her humiliated and marked the beginning of a serious mental and physical health crisis.
Nearly a decade after the incident, the 44-year-old star says she is finally “reclaiming” what happened, opening up about the emotional fallout, addiction struggles and the hospitalisation that followed.
A Career High Shadowed by Personal Tragedy
At the time of the 2016 Baftas, Sheridan Smith was riding a professional high. She had earned widespread acclaim for her performances on stage and screen, including her lead role as Fanny Brice in the West End revival of Funny Girl.
Behind the scenes, however, Smith was dealing with profound personal stress. Her father, Colin Smith, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the emotional toll coincided with intense professional pressure.
Producers later confirmed that Smith missed several performances due to stress and exhaustion, with understudies stepping in during her absence.
The Baftas Joke That Sparked Public Humiliation
During the ceremony, Baftas host Graham Norton made a quip referencing “technical difficulties” in theatre, a remark widely interpreted as suggesting Smith’s absence from Funny Girl was linked to drinking.
Smith, seated in the audience among industry peers, has since described the moment as deeply embarrassing.
In a recent interview, she admitted the joke pushed her into a darker place, saying she felt ashamed, exposed and judged by people she admired and hoped to work with again.
Addiction, Collapse and a Medical Emergency
What few people knew at the time was that Smith was struggling with dependence on anti-anxiety medication, alongside alcohol.
Following the awards ceremony, she withdrew alone to a hotel room and made a dangerous decision to abruptly stop taking her medication, unaware that sudden withdrawal could trigger severe seizures.
That night, Smith suffered five seizures, stopped breathing, and collapsed. She was rushed to A&E, where doctors treated her for a life-threatening medical emergency.
Smith later revealed it was only because a friend unexpectedly checked on her that she survived, describing it as nothing short of a miracle.
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Opening Up Years Later
Four years after the incident, Smith publicly shared her ordeal in the ITV documentary Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum, recounting the Baftas moment as the “final straw” before her mental health deteriorated completely.
Speaking again now, she stresses that blame does not lie with anyone else, acknowledging she was in a deeply unwell state at the time.
She also notes that attitudes within the entertainment industry have evolved, suggesting such a moment might be handled with more compassion today.
Moving Forward and Finding Strength
Despite the trauma, Sheridan Smith has rebuilt both her career and personal life. She continues to be celebrated for standout performances in productions such as Cilla, The Teacher, and I Fought the Law, while also becoming a mother.
Her decision to revisit the Baftas incident publicly marks a turning point, not to reopen wounds, but to take control of the narrative and highlight the realities of mental health struggles in the spotlight.
FAQ
What did Graham Norton say about Sheridan Smith at the Baftas?
He made a joke referencing “technical difficulties” in theatre, which was widely interpreted as implying her absence from Funny Girl was linked to drinking.
Why did Sheridan Smith miss performances in Funny Girl?
She stepped away due to severe stress, exhaustion and personal issues, including her father’s terminal illness.
What happened to Sheridan Smith after the Baftas?
She suffered a medical emergency after abruptly stopping anti-anxiety medication, leading to multiple seizures and hospitalisation.
Did Sheridan Smith blame Graham Norton for what happened?
No. She has said the situation was not anyone’s fault and acknowledged she was in a very bad mental state at the time.
Has Sheridan Smith spoken about addiction?
Yes. She has openly discussed her struggles with alcohol and prescription medication dependence.
Is Sheridan Smith still acting?
Yes. She continues to work successfully in television, film and theatre.
Where did Sheridan Smith talk about this publicly?
She addressed it in interviews with The Times and previously in her ITV documentary Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum.