5 MINUTES WITH...

Sheridan Smith, 41, playing a character who vows to give up EVERYTHING after a cringe wedding-related incident...

Ttell us about Rosie. She is one of the funniest characters I’ve ever played.

Rosie is single, she’s got a great family and is very much a career girl. She’s just been promoted at work, and she seems to have it all. But, at the same time, she doesn’t. She’s very complex, because she is suffering the illness of addiction. She is very flawed, yet very loveable.

Does it pull at the heart strings? There are many situations that Rosie gets herself into that are very funny – and some that are heartbreaking. There’s an amazing balance between laugh-out-loud moments and ones that will make you think and perhaps cry. I hope people have more empathy for addiction after they watch this. Any funny things happen on set? There’s one scene where Rosie is meant to finish a bottle of wine – it was meant to be a small amount, but it had been set as a whole bottle of pretend wine. The production team waited for ages as I necked it in one take, then I had to deliver the line, “I’m good, thanks!” – all bloated like a balloon. I could hardly breathe! You also play a troglodyte [a cave-dwelling person].

Rosie has this out-of-body experience – she’s walking into a hospital and thinks she looks like a troglodyte with crazy hair. Once I had on the costume and makeup, I looked probably the most ridiculous I ever have in a job. No one could keep a straight face – we had to keep reshooting…

Who will enjoy the series?

I’m hoping it will appeal to everyone – any age group, but especially the younger folk.

Even though it’s a comedy, the writer, Susan Nickson, has been through addiction so I think it’s important for people to understand where it’s coming from. I’m just hoping the comedy and heart will appeal to all.