Sheridan Smith has hit back at her critics on social media after she was ridiculed for missing a West End performance last night following the TV BAFTAs at the weekend.

News of the cancellation of her performance in ‘Funny Girl’ on Monday night (May 10th), just a few hours after she was seen after the ceremony drinking with a number of fellow stars. To put this in context, this happened just a couple of weeks after a performance of the show had to be cancelled because of ‘technical difficulties’ halfway through, after attendees noticed Smith slurring her words on stage.

Sheridan SmithSheridan Smith on the red carpet at Sunday night's TV BAFTAs

This was something that BAFTAs host Graham Norton referenced in his monologue, joking that he and Smith should have a few drinks together, “or as we call it in the industry, a couple of glasses of technical difficulties”.

“Due to the indisposition of Sheridan Smith the role of Fanny Brice will be played by Natasha J. Barnes at tonight’s performance of ‘Funny Girl’,” the Savoy Theatre tweeted yesterday, which triggered a number of comments by fans.

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Initially, the 34 year old actress, considered one of the best of her generation and a two-time Olivier Award winner, apologised for her no-show, writing: “Well done press! U let down me, the cast & everyone who spent money to see me. I apologise profusely! Sorry! Sorry I'm not strong enough.”

The star re-tweeted a cruel message from a fan which read: “Is Sheridan Smith starving, homeless or disabled? No. She's just a nutcase loose cannon who needs to get on and do her job. Pathetic.” Sparking concern from some fans, Sheridan simply wrote shortly after it: “See ya!”

This didn’t seem to stop people from trolling her, to one of whom she replied particularly savagely: “Sat behind your computer u little geek, love to see what u look like. Come say your s*** to my face & let's see what happens.”

Later, however, she apologised to her loyal fans by writing: “I love you who have my back, beyond belief. Sorry x.” As a private account, her Twitter page in inaccessible to users who haven’t been approved to follow her.

Two months ago, Smith unleashed a similar social media broadside at those who were scrutinising her after she cancelled a handful of shows after hearing that her father had been diagnosed with cancer.

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