Sheridan Smith has admitted the birth of her son inspired her to “step out of my comfort zone” as she joins the judging panel of new talent show Starstruck.
The award winning actress has seen her busier than ever as tonight she stars in ITV 's No Return, her third prime-time drama so far this year, following lead roles in BBC1's Four Lives and Channel 5 's The Teacher.
But at the weekend she will put her fears aside and take on a new role on the judging panel for ITV's new Saturday night show Starstruck – a reboot of the 1990s favourite Stars In Their Eyes.
The TV and stage star will join Jason Manford, Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert on the panel for for the new series, hosted by Olly Murs, which sees hopefuls transformed into their music idols.
Opening up about her desire to take on the role,Smith, who has a one-year-old son, Billy, said: “I guess part of it is having a son, you know I’ve always kind of shied away from talent shows before.
“I think maybe I was scared to step out of my comfort zone which was being an actress.
“It’s about making him proud and if I push myself out of my comfort zone, that’s good.
“I was very flattered to be asked to be honest because they could have had anyone but I’m loving it.”
And the star said she's happy for the public to see her in a different light, adding: “It’s scary because I’m just not used to it. I get really nervous and I think most actors do when it comes to being themselves.
“I hosted another show Pooch Perfect but that was not filmed like this, it was very casual and you’re there all day surrounded by dogs which is my biggest love after my son.
“It’s very different to being sat on a panel with all that glam and the production. Hopefully I will be the eyes of the public and just say it how I see it.”
But far from being a harsh critic, Sheridan admits that she has nothing but the upmost admiration for the contestants who are often juggling day jobs, families and managing their singing talents on the side.
She added: “I take my hat off to all of them [the contestants], I’m nervous just sitting in the chair and the stage is epic.
“These are people who are a mechanic by day and Elton John by night, to me it’s mind blowing that they can do that, so I’m in awe of them.
“Their families must be so proud, I’m just on my feet, I’m almost like a proud mum.
“I am so behind them all and I want them to do well, I know what a big thing it is to step out on the stage, in front of the nation as well."
And the actress has had her own taste of the singing stage as she grew up touring with her parents who were Country and Western duo The Daltons.
She later took on her own highly acclaimed transformation to stage singer Cilla Black for the ITV drama documenting the life of the Liverpudlian born star.
She added: “I guess as the actress, who has played roles like Cilla, I’m looking for more mannerisms and embodying the character, not just sounding alike.
“A lot of people can do caricatures of people whereas I’m kind of more about the little details and that’s kind of my role.”
As if that wasn't enough, the 40-year-old will also appear in the long-awaited sequel to the classic film The Railway Children later this year.
*Starstruck starts on Saturday at 8.30pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
