Sheridan Smith befriended child snatcher Karen Matthews’ pal Julie Bushby while playing her in upcoming drama
THE BBC’s highly-anticipated Shannon Matthews drama is loaded with explosive revelations about the youngster’s harrowing kidnap.
But it’s the show’s lead star SHERIDAN SMITH who has provided the biggest shock twist.
She has become good friends with the woman who helped snare child abductor Karen Matthews since portraying her in the upcoming two-parter The Moorside.
Sheridan puts in a brilliant performance as Julie Bushby, the best pal of Britain’s most hated mum.
And the actress says she has grown to love the mum-of-three, despite Julie still standing by Karen, who kidnapped her own daughter Shannon from The Moorside estate in Dewsbury, West Yorks, in 2008.
Sheridan, left, said: “Julie never wanted to see bad of Karen. She never wanted to give up hope.
“Me and Julie are still friends. I’ve got such admiration for everyone on that estate, but especially Julie.
“She’s stronger than I am. She helped me with the whole journey all along.”
Sheridan’s portrayal of Julie, who was chairwoman of The Moorside tenants’ association which led the search for Shannon, is her most gritty role to date.
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She takes the lead role alongside Game of Thrones actress GEMMA WHELAN as Karen and SIAN BROOKE as neighbour Natalie. And her performance has already won Julie’s approval.
Speaking at the first screening of The Moorside at Bafta HQ in central London on Wednesday, Sheridan revealed: “Julie said: ‘It were brilliant’.”
Writer Neil McKay added: “When Julie first met Sheridan, she had a cup of coffee and a cigarette and Julie looked at her and said, ‘She’s shooting up in my estimation’.”
The Moorside will air on Tuesday, February 7.
Shannon, who was nine at the time of her abduction, was missing for nearly a month and was found in a house that belonged to Michael Donovan, uncle of Craig Meehan — Karen’s paedophile boyfriend.
The kidnapping was subsequently discovered to have been planned by Karen and Michael to make money from the publicity.
Both were found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice and given eight-year jail terms.
The Moorside, however, will focus on the community behind the Shannon Matthews story and Julie’s guilt after helping get her friend convicted. It also reveals a human side to Karen. It will certainly be controversial.
Mammy of all laughs?
MUM’s definitely the word on the new Mrs Brown’s Boys Saturday night spin-off.
BRENDAN O’CARROLL, who plays Mrs Brown, says chatshow-style format All Round To Mrs Brown’s will see celebrity guests – and their mammies – quizzed each week by the tea-making gobby Irish matriarch.
And Mrs Brown will have plenty of big names to grill in the kitchen should producers secure the talent on their shortlist.
In an exclusive chat, Brendan said: “The main celebrity guest of the night has to bring along their mother as well.
“There are lots of celebrities we want to get on and, because we don’t know their mums yet, we want to meet them.
“I want to get and on – I want to get talkshow people on and just turn the tables a bit.
“And maybe Ant and Dec. Or The Queen and Prince Harry – I’m sure they would have the odd Saturday night free.”
The show launches later this year – so perhaps Mother’s Day would be a fitting time?
Biz bits
HERE’S a hopeful Poldark update from the show’s main man AIDAN TURNER.
He said: “We’ve nearly finished shooting the third series so we will see how it goes. We might get a fourth, you never know.”
Meanwhile, EAMONN HOLMES has defended PIERS MORGAN over his row with EWAN McGREGOR.
He said: “Breakfast television has to have something, it can’t just be bland – and that’s what Piers Morgan has done.”
Will, I never
IT’S clearly tough to make an impression on WILL.I.AM.
The BLACK EYED PEAS star fails to turn his chair on The Voice for a hopeful who previously wrote a song for him.
He isn’t impressed by singer Tanya Lacey’s efforts on tomorrow night’s show, despite her huge involvement on his 2011 hit track T.H.E (The Hardest Ever) which features MICK JAGGER and JENNIFER LOPEZ.
Speaking after her performance, Tanya tells Will: “Here’s a funny story. I co-wrote one of your songs. It was The Hardest Ever.
“We did that in Atlanta just before I flew home. We were in the studio just vibing, so it’s crazy that you thought the idea was dope and it grew into what it is.”
Thankfully for Tanya, she receives interest from his fellow coaches and makes her way through.
However, Will is left feeling mortified after he discovers the truth.
After Tanya’s revelation, a stunned Will says: “Wow, I should have turned around.”
He will have to try to “steal” her in the Battle Rounds to make amends.
Soapbox
NOTHING ever remains secret for long in Weatherfield, and with all of Leanne and Nick’s rowing it was only a matter of time before more people discovered the true identity of Leanne’s baby’s father.
During tonight’s episode of CORONATION STREET, a shocked Toyah is the latest to find out that Steve is the dad of her step-sister’s unborn tot.
Meanwhile, over on EMMERDALE, a reunion is on the cards as Ross declares his love for his former sweetheart Debbie, despite being warned by her worried father Cain to steer clear.