Yahoo News Sheridan Smith quits reality show Starstruck
Sheridan Smith has quit ITV singing competition Starstruck.
The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and The Teacher actress served as a judge on the first series of the show, which saw contestants transformed into their musical idols. Adam Lambert, Beverly Knight and Jason Manford served as the other judges.
A statement from ITV issued to Digital Spy reads: "We would have loved Sheridan to have returned to the show but she has sadly had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with a new acting project.
Related: Sheridan Smith defended by Starstruck co-star following viewer backlash
"The team absolutely loved working with her, she was a fantastic judge and provided some invaluable feedback to the contestants. We wish her all the best."
It has not been announced who will replace Sheridan on the panel, while the other judges and Olly Murs are currently believed to return for series 2.
Speaking previously about why she decided to become a TV talent show judge (the self-admitted "easily pleased judge"), Sheridan 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."
Related: Why Sheridan Smith found No Return's gruelling story harrowing to film
This year has seen Sheridan star in The Railway Children Return, which she called a "huge honour", and dramas Four Lives and No Return. The former was about a serial killer who murdered four gay men in the 2010s, while the latter was about a family who's child was accused of sexually assaulting another boy while abroad in Turkey.
Opening up on the experience of filming No Return, Smith previously said: "When I read the script and then when I was playing the role I was thinking: 'My God, if this was my son Billy, I can't imagine how I would feel.' There was a lot of angst during filming. Lots of crying, lots of screaming, lots of constant tension. The scenes where we arrive and are actually enjoying the holiday were so rare."
Starstruck airs on ITV1.
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