Starstruck judge Jason Manford has leapt to the defence of his colleague Sheridan Smith, after trolls suggested she's on TV too much.
The award-winning actress joined comedian Manford in the premiere episode of talent contest Starstruck over the weekend, while she's also had BBC One's real-life murder drama Four Lives and ITV's No Return gripping audiences across the past month.
Her omnipresence hasn't sat well with some TV watchers (via The Sun), but Manford doesn't understand why.
Related: ITV responds to claims Sheridan Smith was upset backstage on The Jonathan Ross Show
"Seen a few comments about Sheridan being on tv a lot this week. It's not [something] she's in charge of," he tweeted.
"She would've filmed those 3 excellent shows last year and some scheduler decided they went on this week. So chill out, also she's excellent and you're lucky to have her."
Away from naysaying, Smith herself has addressed her decision to join the Starstruck panel.
"I guess part of it is having a son, you know, I've always kind of shied away from talent shows before. I think maybe I was scared to step out of my comfort zone which was being an actress.
Related: Starstruck viewers confused by format of new singing show
"It's about making him proud and if I push myself out of my comfort zone, that's good. I was very flattered to be asked to be honest because they could have had anyone but I'm loving it," she continued, before disclosing what kind of judge she's turned into.
"I think I am the easily pleased judge if I'm honest. I take my hat off to all of them, I'm nervous just sitting in the chair and the stage is epic. These are people who are a mechanic by day and Elton John by night, to me it's mind-blowing that they can do that, so I'm in awe of them. Their families must be so proud.
Starstruck airs on Saturdays at 8.30pm on ITV.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
