Cilla and Gavin and Stacey star Sheridan Smith has opened up about naming her son after her late brother Julian.

In a post on Instagram, the actress shared a photo of her late brother and a photo of her son, with the caption: "Today would've been my big brother Julian's 50th birthday, so I celebrated him with his beautiful nephew Billy 'Julian'."

instagramView full post on Instagram

Several fans pointed out the "family likeness" between Julian and Billy Julian, with one saying that he was the "spitting image" of his late uncle.

Smith and her ex-fiancé, insurance broker Jamie Horn, welcomed their son in May 2020 after getting engaged in 2018. The couple announced their split in July this year.

The West End performer previously opened up about her bereavement last year in her ITV documentary, Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum.

sheridan smith becoming mum
ITV

She explained that when she was eight years old, her brother passed away from cancer, aged 18. In the documentary, she shared: "I remember lots of happy memories of me and him. He was my big brother and I really looked up to him.

"That is why I think therapy could have been good," she added. "As you hold onto stuff from childhood."

sheridan smith
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock

When her son was born last year, she took to Instagram to share the news with fans. She wrote: "Our little man has arrived! We are both completely overwhelmed with love."

She has since continued to use the platform to share updates on her life as a new mother, as well as showing her pregnancy and mental health journey within the ITV documentary too.

Last summer, she wrote: "So proud of my beautiful son Billy! He is the best thing to ever happen to me! A love like no other!"



The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.

The helpline, 0808 808 1677, is open Monday-Friday at 9.30am-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when it is open until 8pm. You can also email helpline@cruse.org.uk.

Cruse Scotland can be reached on 0845 600 2227 or support@crusescotland.org.uk.

From: Digital Spy