Sheridan Smith Responds to Graham Norton After BAFTA Joke Sparks Meltdown

Sheridan Smith, the acclaimed actress, recently reflected on the unsettling joke made by Graham Norton during the 2016 BAFTA Awards. At that time, she portrayed Fanny Brice in the West End production of “Funny Girl.” Unfortunately, she missed several performances, leading to understudies stepping in for her.

Graham Norton’s Controversial Joke

During the awards ceremony, Graham Norton, 62, made a comment suggesting that Smith’s absences were due to her drinking. He quipped, “We’re all excited for a couple of drinks tonight. Or, as it’s known in theatrical circles, a few glasses of technical difficulties.” This remark left Smith feeling humiliated, as she faced a challenging period in her life.

A Personal Struggle

At the time of the incident, Smith was dealing with her father’s cancer diagnosis. This led her to misuse alcohol and anxiety medication. Reflecting on the situation nearly a decade later, she confessed to feeling “embarrassed” and ashamed of that phase of her life.

• Quote from Sheridan Smith: “You’re embarrassed. I felt ashamed, and I still sometimes feel it, like, ‘Oh, I wish that part of my life hadn’t happened.’”
• On the Joke’s Impact: Smith mentioned, “That was no one’s fault. That was just on me. I was in a bad state at the time.”

Health Crisis Following the BAFTA Joke

Unbeknownst to her peers that night, Smith faced a serious health crisis shortly after the ceremony. She collapsed and was hospitalized after suffering from multiple seizures, which resulted from abruptly stopping her anti-anxiety medication.

In her 2020 ITV documentary, “Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum,” she described the sequence of events following Norton’s joke. She recalled the humiliation of being the subject of a joke at such a prestigious event. The emotional turmoil led her to isolate herself, thinking she could manage her addiction alone.

The Road to Recovery

Smith shared her realization that stopping her medication suddenly was dangerous, resulting in multiple seizures. A timely intervention by a friend at her hotel helped her recover, emphasizing the importance of seeking help.

As Smith continues to navigate her personal and professional life, she acknowledges the changing societal attitudes toward addiction and mental health. She believes there is more kindness in such discussions today compared to years past.