Can’t wait for the inevitable three-part drama starring Sheridan Smith.” This tends to be the refrain on social media whenever something remotely newsworthy happens in Great Britain: if it’s a gripping story, or so our collective thinking goes, then it’s surely only a matter of time before ITV has snapped up the rights and cast Our Sheridan in the lead role.
Over the past few years, it’s become a full-blown meme, with online wits editing Smith’s face onto the body of various real-life figures (Holly Willoughby! Captain Tom’s daughter! Liz Truss!) in a sort of demented fan cast. Last year, it all got a bit out of hand when This Morning talking head Gyles Brandreth (incorrectly) announced that ITV had signed up Smith to play Kate Middleton in a series called The Lost Princess, based on some not entirely convincing tweets.