Sheridan Smith’s 80-year-old dad has sadly passed away after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
The Funny Girl favourite was due to perform in the annual television performance on the Royal Variety Show, but has understandably cancelled.
The actress was going to perform alongside other celebrities such as Sting and Robbie Williams in the show, which will take place in front of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
A statement from her spokeperson revealed the heartbreaking news: “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, December 6.
“At this difficult time for Sheridan and her family we would ask that you please respect their privacy.”
The 35-year-old revealed in March this year that her father had been diagnosed with cancer. Following the news, she pulled out of a performance of West End musical, Funny Girl.
She shared the news with her Twitter followers writing: “Had s*** news 2day, sorry I can’t make the show for u loyal fans, if u ask they give u tix to the Savoy!”
She added: “it’s one, hate missing shows but pappa needs me x”.
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Sheridan and her father, Colin, regularly appeared in public together, in 2011 she brought him with her to the Olivier awards, where she won a best actress in a musical for her appearance in Legally Blonde.
The death of her father comes 27 years after her eldest brother Julian died of cancer when he was 18.
She spoke about dealing with his death last year when she starred as a breast cancer sufferer in The C Word.
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She said: “Of course I’ve been affected by my brother’s death… It makes me value life, cherish my loved ones and be grateful for every day I have with them.
“Cancer affects one in three of us and every single one of us either knows someone who has been affected by it or has experienced it first-hand. And yet it’s treated as a taboo subject.
“It’s never on telly. We should talk about it. It’s a hideous disease and we need to try to fight it.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheridan and her family.