“It’s made me emotional”: Sheridan Smith reacts to Gavin & Stacey co-star James Corden’s surprise comments

Her recent return as Smithy’s younger sister, Rudi, in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special was the gift we all needed – and despite the pair's tendency to clash in the series, it seems Sheridan Smith and James Corden still have a special place in each other’s hearts in real-life. In an exclusive cover interview with Good Housekeeping, Sheridan shared her reaction to some surprise comments from James – and it all got a little emotional.

Asked by GH what Sheridan was like to work with on Gavin & Stacey, James shared by text: “As a performer, she’s so instinctive. She can do comedy, tragedy and everything in between. Her instincts are always bang-on.

“She has an ability to represent us, the audience, whatever part she’s playing. She is all of us, on stage or screen. It’s the rarest of gifts. I think she’ll be regarded as one of the greats.”

When read the quote, Sheridan looked stunned, before shedding a few tears. “I love James,” she said. “We dated a long time ago, so it’s lovely to hear him say that. It’s made me quite emotional. Him saying that means the world.”

While Sheridan has just turned 44, she has the acting credits of someone decades older. From the title role in the ITV drama Mrs Biggs, to her portrayal of Cilla Black in Cilla and her lead part in The C Word, her CV is bursting with incredible roles. But it all started with sitcoms, with iconic roles in The Royle Family and Gavin & Stacey.

Speaking of those early days, Sheridan said: “I remember walking into the [Royle Family] living room, which I didn’t even know was a set, and seeing Caroline Aherne, Liz Smith and Sue Johnston. Amazing women. I sat there like a sponge, and I’ve done it ever since.

“There are so many women I’ve learned from. Tamsin Greig was breastfeeding while we were filming Love Soup," she continued. "Dame Maggie Smith was gorgeous in Quartet, which Dustin Hoffman directed. She spotted my nerves on day one and said, ‘Come on, us Smiths stick together.’ When my dad passed, she sent me a beautiful card that I still cherish.”

Sheridan's latest role is in ITV’s upcoming drama, I Fought the Law, which promises to be essential viewing. The series stars Sheridan as Ann Ming, the heartbroken mother who campaigned to change the Double Jeopardy Law and ensure that her daughter’s murderer was convicted.

Covering the brutal circumstances of her daughter's murder and the subsequent 15-year battle that followed, it's the sort of series that will stay with you long after you've watched it. And as for Sheridan's performance? She outdoes herself once again.

I Fought the Law airs on ITV1 and STV and streams on ITVX and STV Player this autumn, followed by a documentary about Ann’s historic campaign.

Read the full interview in Good Housekeeping's September issue, on sale from 24^th July.