Sheridan Smith's exit from ITV's Starstruck explained after she quit last year
Starstruck will return for its second series tonight, with new contestants set to be "transformed into music icons" in the hopes of being declared the winner of the competition.
The ITV show debuted last year and sees people take to the stage to perform as well-known singers. They compete against each other for the chance to win a cash prize.
The new series will launch this weekend, with Olly Murs, 38, returning as host. Adam Lambert, 41, Beverley Knight, 49, and Jason Manford, 41, will remain on the judging panel.
There however will be a notable absence from the panel, as Sheridan Smith, 41, hasn't returned. She has been replaced by Shania Twain, 57, for the second series.
Sheridan Smith won't be part of the judging panel on Starstruck for its second series (ITV)It's previously been reported that Sheridan decided not to reprise her role on the judging panel due to a scheduling conflict. Her departure was announced in August last year.
Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries
ITV had told outlets: "We would have loved Sheridan to have returned to the show but she has sadly had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with a new acting project."
"The team absolutely loved working with her, she was a fantastic judge and provided some invaluable feedback to the contestants. We wish her all the best," it had added.
The Mirror approached Sheridan's rep for comment.
Shania Twain (centre right) will instead join returning panelists Adam Lambert (left), Beverley Knight (centre left) and Jason Manford (right) (ITV)Sheridan has been busy in recent months preparing for her return to the West End stage. She is currently starring in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York's Theatre in London.
She made her debut in the play - which inspired the 1989 film of the same name - yesterday (February 17). She is set to appear in the new production for 15 weeks only.
It marks Olivier Award winner Sheridan's return to theatre. She has previously starred in plays like Flare Path as well as in musicals including Funny Girl and Legally Blonde.
Sheridan had been a judge on the ITV show for its debut series, which aired last year (ITV)Shania is no stranger to appearing on a judging panel. She's previously been a guest judge on shows including American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Rupaul's Drag Race.
Dubbed the 'Queen of Country Pop,' she's best known for her music career. She's received numerous accolades over the years, including having been awarded Grammy Awards.
She's known for songs such as Man! I Feel Like a Woman! and That Don't Impress Me Much. And her sixth studio album, titled Queen of Me, was released earlier this month.
Shania has taken her place on the panel for the second series, which launches this weekend (ITV)Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, previously said: "Shania is one of the all time music greats, not to mention a fabulous personality, so it's an honour to welcome her to the Starstruck panel".
Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'
Starstruck returns for its new series tonight (February 18) on ITV and ITVX from 8.30pm. It will air following the final of the Masked Singer, which will be broadcast from 7pm.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
