Epworth starlet Sheridan Smith to receive OBE

Donny darling Sheridan Smith has been awarded with the OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
File photo dated 24/01/12 of Sheridan Smith who has joined the cast of BBC1's adaptation of David Walliams's book Mr Stink. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 4, 2012. Smith will play wannabe MP Mrs Crumb, the mother of young heroine Chloe who befriends a whiffy tramp in the best-selling children's tale. She will be joined by comedian Johnny Vegas, who has been added to the one-hour film, playing her husband Mr Crumb. See PA story SHOWBIZ Stink. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA WireFile photo dated 24/01/12 of Sheridan Smith who has joined the cast of BBC1's adaptation of David Walliams's book Mr Stink. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 4, 2012. Smith will play wannabe MP Mrs Crumb, the mother of young heroine Chloe who befriends a whiffy tramp in the best-selling children's tale. She will be joined by comedian Johnny Vegas, who has been added to the one-hour film, playing her husband Mr Crumb. See PA story SHOWBIZ Stink. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
File photo dated 24/01/12 of Sheridan Smith who has joined the cast of BBC1's adaptation of David Walliams's book Mr Stink. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 4, 2012. Smith will play wannabe MP Mrs Crumb, the mother of young heroine Chloe who befriends a whiffy tramp in the best-selling children's tale. She will be joined by comedian Johnny Vegas, who has been added to the one-hour film, playing her husband Mr Crumb. See PA story SHOWBIZ Stink. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

The 33-year-old actress, who constantly wins rave reviews for varied roles on stage and screen, received the royal honour for services to drama.

She said: “I’m sincerely thankful and humbled to be recognised with such an honour. I’m overwhelmed and hope to continue doing the work that I love for many years to come.”

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Ms. Smith started out her career as a member of Doncaster Little Theatre and her first professional gig was aged just six, at Doncaster’s Civic Theatre, where she played Annie alongside her mum and dad.

Parents Marilyn and Colin are well known in the borough for performing as country and western duo The Daltons around the town’s clubs and pubs.

The starlet was celebrating receiving the honour at her parents’ home in Epworth, just outside Doncaster, after journeying north to enjoy a family Christmas.

The actress is no stranger to awards for her work, having previously won a Best Actress BAFTA for her portrayal of Mrs Biggs in television drama.

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Last year’s performance in the ITV series, Cilla, gained her an army of new fans. She has two Olivier awards and was invited to host the last ceremony.

And her Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic won her the ‘best actress in a play’ accolade at an earlier Whatsonstage.com awards.

In an eventful and extremely busy 2014, she was delighted to receive an honorary degree from the University of Hull last summer.

She explored her roots and family’s background in performing arts as the subject of an episode of Who Do You Think You Are, the hit BBC tv series that traces family history.

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She will star in a new ITV three-part suspense drama in March this year, which will see her play policewoman and mum-of-two Jo Gillespie in ‘Black Work.’

Her character suffers endless turmoil after her policeman husband, who worked under cover for the force, is shot dead.

The actress was seen filming in locations around Yorkshire earlier this year.