Sheridan Smith recalls being rushed to hospital following a seizure after Graham Norton made brutal joke about her being ‘a drunk’

Sheridan Smith has reflected on a dark part of her life where she suffered seizures after she was humiliated by Graham Norton during the 2016 BAFTAS. 

The actress, 42, who has had a rocky career as a star on stage and screen, told The Times that she stopped taking her anti-anxiety medication after Graham made a jibe  about her being ‘a drunk’.

Her theatre performances came under fire during Funny Girl in 2016 for her as she refused to go on stage moments before the curtain was lifted.

Eight years ago, while playing Fanny Brice in the West End show, her mental health hit rock bottom, sparked by her drinking and father’s cancer diagnosis, which saw a show cancelled mid-performance amid reports she was slurring her words.

But despite clinging on through all her daily battles, the 2016 TV Baftas was the ‘final straw’ as the host, Graham, made a series of savage jokes, with one being at her expense while she was sat in the audience. 

He said: ‘The sooner we begin, the sooner we can have a couple of drinks. Or, as they say in theatrical circles, a couple of glasses of technical difficulties.’

She was left feeling devastated and betrayed as her peers openly mocked her performances and the negative coverage at the time. 

The actress admitted that she stopped taking her medication that night while staying in a hotel. This led to five seizures and she was eventually rushed to hospital.

She told the publication: ‘I had no idea that they were addictive like that or that you could have seizures coming off them.’

Sheridan then revealed that she moved to the country to recover while her father, Colin, died that winter with his only daughter by his side.

MailOnline has contacted Graham’s representatives for a comment. 

Sheridan has faced more professional difficulties in recent weeks – as her latest West End show, titled Opening Night, was panned by critics and was forced to close early.

She insisted she has ‘no regrets’ about taking the lead role in her West End flop.

Her’ West End comeback has been fraught with difficulties including poor reviews and bad turnouts and as a result, the musical as been cancelled and will end two months earlier than originally planned.

Speaking to The Times, Sheridan got emotional as she explained she was ‘heartbroken’ for the cast and crew who have worked on the play but said she would do it all over again ‘in a heartbeat’.

‘I feel bad for the team and all the work they put in, but I’m at that age now where I want to be challenged,’ the acclaimed actress explained.

‘I want to do new things, I don’t want to do that same old boring stuff. I would do it again in a heartbeat, so I have no regrets.’

Opening Night tells the story of functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon (Sheridan) who gets a second chance – it is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands. 

Sheridan has admitted the part forced her to confront her own issues after she suffered a highly publicised breakdown while performing in Funny Girl in the West End in 2016.

‘I was very ashamed of that time of my life, and I wanted to do this part to prove that I could do it, that I could face my demons head on,’ she told The Times. ‘I’m so much stronger than I was back then.’

‘I went off the rails a bit, dated all the wrong people, obviously my breakdown. Now I feel like I’m a mum, I’m very grateful for everything I’ve got in my life. I feel like the best is yet to come.’ 

Opening Night will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London on May 18, instead of July 27 – and producers blamed a ‘challenging financial landscape’ for the decision.

Announcing the news in April, the production team said that the play ‘may not have had the life we had hoped for’.

Sheridan recently implored people to come and see the show after it was slammed by theatregoers who claimed it was ‘boring’ and walked out half way through.

However, it seems her plea wasn’t enough to mobilise audiences for the poorly reviewed play – directed by Ivo Van Hove and with music by Rufus Wainwright – which producers have now admitted was ‘always a risk’.

Announcing the early end of the run, producers Wessex Grove said: ‘It is an honour to produce this beautiful new musical in the West End, and everyone at Wessex Grove is proud to have delivered the artistic vision of Ivo Van Hove and Rufus Wainwright and their incredible team, led by the exquisite Sheridan Smith.

‘In a challenging financial landscape, Opening Night was always a risk and, while the production may not have had the life we had hoped for, we feel immensely proud of the risk we took and of this extraordinary production.

‘Our world class cast delivers a brilliant show night after night, and there are still five weeks left to see Sheridan Smith in the role of a lifetime. What is sure-fire and safe has its place.

‘But Wessex Grove exists to produce great artists in the West End and to provide the space for original, artist-led productions in the commercial sector, productions exactly like Opening Night. 

We’re grateful for all of the support everyone has given us as we made this show, and look forward to celebrating the rest of the run.’

It came just days after the musical was hit by another issue when Sheridan was ‘banned’ from leaving the theatre due to a nearby crime scene .

The show is performed in a venue situated between two pubs in London’s West End, naturally attracting rowdy drinkers.

During the show, Sheridan’s character Myrtle goes out onto the street to perform a scene while the audience watch from a screen inside – which has been surprising and sometimes fooling passers-by outdoors.

Director Ivo has defended the play, describing leading lady Sheridan as ‘brave’ for accepting the complex role in the production. 

He said: ‘I had the most wonderful and inspiring time making Opening Night thanks to the talent and commitment of our incredible cast and production team.

‘They were led by the exceptional Sheridan Smith, who had the bravery to play such a complex role in the West End. I try to be fearless and sincere in everything I make.

‘With Rufus’s beautiful music, we made something totally unique and true to John Cassavetes’ daring exploration of the human condition.

‘It will forever have a special place in my heart.

‘It is always sad when a show closes early but I know that Opening Night will live long in the memories of those who saw it and made it.’

Next up for Sheridan is the leading role in a gritty new drama.

The actress, 42, will portray Ann Ming, the mother who battled to change the law after her daughter Julie Hogg was murdered by her ex-partner in 1989. 

The new ITV drama, scheduled to begin later this year, will be based on Ann’s book, For The Love Of Julie.

After fighting for 15 years, Ann succeeded in changing the 800-year-old double jeopardy law, which meant people couldn’t be tried twice for the same crime.

Speaking about the new role, Sheridan said: ‘I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the Double Jeopardy Law to be changed.’