Sheridan Smith is not returning for the ‘Gavin and Stacey’ Christmas special.
The 37-year-old actress played Ruth "Rudi" Smith, the sister of James Corden’s alter-ego Smithy, in the BBC sitcom, but the character doesn’t look likely to appear in the forthcoming festive episode on Christmas Day (25.12.19).
When asked on BBC Radio 2’s ‘The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show’ if she will be reprising her role for the programme’s hotly-anticipated return, Sheridan said: "I wish. No, I’m not going to be in it, I think."
Sheridan’s comments come after it was recently confirmed she had departed the role of British porn star Jolene Dollar in Channel 4 drama ‘Adult Material’ due to "conflicting commitments".
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "Sheridan is not involved due to conflicting commitments."
The ‘Benidorm’ star – who is appearing in West End show ‘Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, and BBC drama ‘The Barking Murders’ – has been replaced by Hayley Squires.
Sheridan received an OBE for her services to drama in 2015, and Prince William, who presented her with the gong, told her he is a big fan of ‘Gavin and Stacey’.
Speaking at the time, she said: "I did say I don’t feel as worthy as so many of the recipients, but thank you so much, it’s a huge honour.
"He said he’d seen some of my work, which is amazing, and was a fan of ‘Gavin and Stacey’.
"And I congratulated him on his wonderful children and he shook my hand and I was shaking – it’s all a bit of a blur. I never ever expected to get an OBE so this is absolutely indescribable."
Sheridan Smith not returning to Gavin and Stacey
