Sheridan Smith’s tragic childhood trauma after older brother died from cancer

Sheridan Smith grew teary eyed as she detailed her brother’s battle with cancer on her new documentary.

The actress, 39, opened up about the childhood trauma – that she still finds tough to deal with – following her older brother, Julian, dying at the age of 18 on Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum – that aired on ITV – on Tuesday evening.

The TV star and West End performer – who gave birth to her son Billy, with fiancé Jamie Horn, in May this year – was forced to ask for a break from the cameras, as she ought back tears, amid recalling the tragic time.

After composing herself, she shared: “I remember lots of happy memories of me and him, he was my big big brother and I really looked up to him.”

Sheridan, who was only eight when Julian died, detailed how she would entertain him by putting on little dance performances as he rested up on the sofa and revealed she was a doting sister by rubbing his feet when he was in need of relaxation.

Sharing how the pain is still with her, she continued: “I really vividly remember the night he died and all the screaming I tried to block it out.”

The blonde, who openly discusses her mental health issues, added: “That is why I think therapy could have been good – as you hold onto stuff from childhood.”

Sheridan later discussed how her father went on to be diagnosed with cancer and admitted that she turned to booze as a way to self-medicate.

She also became addicted to anti-anxiety medication as she struggled to come to grips with the heartache.

In a bid to get over her addiction, she holed herself up in a hotel and stopped taking her medication and because she went cold-turkey from her medication she ended up in A and E after suffering five seizures.

Shortly after Sheridan’s new documentary began, the first-time mum was praised on social media for being so open about her worries about her mental health throughout pregnancy.

One Twitter user typed: “Sheridan Smith, ITV on now, Becoming mum. Refreshing , honest and supportive insight about pregnancy and mental health. Well done Sheridan for highlighting the worries, anxieties and experiences of pregnant women. Xx”

A second added: “Watching the Sheridan Smith documentary. I think she is awesome and she really is not along with her mental illness. We are in this together @Sheridansmith1.”

A third echoed: “Aw what a woman Sheridan Smith is #becomingmum.”

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