Sheridan Smith wowed fans as she returned to the stage for the first time following her father Colin's death.
The star was in good spirits as she performed People and Don't Rain on My Parade from her West End show Funny Girl for the opening of pizzeria and supper club Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden on Thursday night. The actress looked stunning in a gold gown and revealed a new tattoo which read 'Daddy's Girl' in tribute to her father, who passed away from cancer aged 80.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSheridan's tattoo can be spotted on her arm
Sheridan took a break from the starring role in the musical and pulled out of the Royal Variety Performance following Colin's death in December. In a statement at the time, a spokesperson for the star wrote: "Sheridan's much loved father sadly passed away this week. We can confirm that she will not be performing at the Royal Variety Performance this Tuesday 6th December. At this difficult time for Sheridan and her family we would ask that you please respect their privacy." 2016 was a difficult year for the star, who took time off from Funny Girl in May due to "stress and exhaustion." A statement from the show read: "The entire team at Funny Girl is thinking of Sheridan, and know she is getting the rest and support she needs during this very difficult and stressful time. We will all miss her enormously and send her our love and best wishes – and we are looking forward to her return to the show in due course."
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe star performed at Bunga Bunga
The Gavin and Stacey actress will be returning to television by narrating the new series of Crackanory on Dave as well as in the BBC's The Moorside Project, which follows Sheridan as Julie Bushby, who led the search for nine-year-old Shannon Matthews after she went missing for 24 days in 2008. After the role was announced, the 35-year-old said: "The story is a fascinating mixture of what I thought I knew and a whole lot more that I had no idea about. The themes of faith and trust in human nature, and the way the whole community came together really inspired me."
