Sheridan Smith delays return to Funny Girl

Producers have announced that Sheridan Smith will delay her return to the West End production of Funny Girl and that her understudy Natasha Barnes, who has been playing the role for the last three weeks, will continue in the role of Fanny Brice until Smith's return.

In a statement released this evening, producers Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani said: "It is, and always has been, Sheridan’s and the producers’ intention that she will return to Funny Girl, and any speculation to the contrary is entirely inaccurate and unhelpful.

"Sheridan’s recovery from stress and exhaustion is the absolute priority. She is doing really well and is incredibly keen to return as soon as possible. Following medical advice, her return to the production will be slightly later than originally anticipated – no later than week commencing 11th July."

Smith has been on a leave of absence from the show since the middle of May when producers gave her time off to deal with her father's cancer diagnosis. They had originally hoped that she would return to the production next week.

The Olivier Award-winning actress, whose previous credits include Legally Blonde and Flare Path, missed the last week of the show's run at the Menier Chocolate Factory but returned to the production for its West End transfer to the Savoy. However a week after press night a performance had to be cancelled after 45 minutes with show sources citing 'technical difficulties'. After several days of further absence Smith returned to the show only to be given an extended break on 12 May.

Barnes has received rave reviews from audience and critics alike since taking over the role of Fanny Brice, with the Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish calling her 'a sensation in her own right'. Her previous credits include American Idiot, Chess and Spring Awakening. You can find out more about the West End's newest leading lady in our interview with Natasha here.

Funny Girl runs at the Savoy Theatre until 8 October 2016.