Sheridan smith

● I like a challenge! I’m in a new musical called Opening Night. It’s really a play within a play and is about this amazing theatre company.

I play a character called Myrtle Gordon. She’s very complex and she’s struggling mentally leading up to the opening night. I related to it straight away because I’ve had similar issues in the past. It’s a bit like art imitating life. I’m now in a stronger place and this show just hit me because it’s about a woman who’s struggling but everyone needs her on the show. It is such a challenge.

● I have learned on the job. I didn’t go to drama school and one of my first TV roles was on The Royle Family. Walking onto a set with Caroline Aherne and Sue Johnston and Liz Smith, I didn’t have a clue really what I was doing. I just watched in awe and took it all in. What an honour to be on that job. My training was watching and taking it in like a sponge.

● Treating every job as your last has always been how I’ve thought. If you think these offers are going to keep coming then you’re mad because in this industry it can stop overnight. I’ve seen it happen. I would never be cocky or presumptuous that that’ll keep happening.

You’ve just got to keep working hard and do your best at every job because the rug can be pulled from under your feet.

Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre, London, runs until July 27. openingnightmusical. com

A Dog’s Life

I’m like the crazy dog lady!

I’ve always had dogs and they’re just the best thing.

They love you unconditionally and when I c