SHERIDAN’S BIG HIT SWEPT CLEAN AWAY

Smash drama axed after one series

SHERIDAN Smith’s hit drama Cleaning Up has been axed, Hot TV can reveal.

The show has been pulled by production company Sister after just one series on ITV.

Execs have insisted they decided on the move so they can focus on new projects.

An ITV spokeswoman said: “The writer Mark Marlow felt the story was complete and wanted to write something new for ITV.

“We are continuing to develop ideas with him and Sister.”

Sister is fast becoming one of telly’s top production companies after a string of hits including Broadchurch, Chernobyl and The Split.

Cleaning Up was a ratings sensation when it aired last year. Episodes pulled in almost nine million viewers – making it one of ITV’s biggest shows of 2019.

And earlier this year it was nominated for a gong at the National Television Awards.

Its first run was open-ended, meaning many fans were hoping it would return.

ITV bosses are said to be “fed up” over the decision not to make a second series.

An insider said: “Ratings hits like Cleaning Up don’t happen very often. The interest was there, so we’d have loved to have aired another run.” The decision is also a blow for TV favourite Sheridan.

Over the years a number of dramas she’s fronted have been pulled after one series, including The C Word, Black Work and Care.

But she remains one of the nation’s favourite actresses.

Last week it emerged she is making a documentary about starting a family.

Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum will see her open up about her battles with mental health and her pregnancy.

She welcomed baby boy Billy with fiancé Jamie Horn earlier this year.