Sheridan Smith has opened up about facing her biggest fear in her latest role in new drama The Castaways.
The drama, which will be released on Boxing Day on Paramount+ and is based on Lucy Clarke's book of the same name, sees Sheridan and Céline Buckens play sisters.
The series explores the solo investigation into what happened to Sheridan's character Lori when the plane she was on to Fiji allegedly crashed.
But although she is a seasoned actress, the role was one of Sheridan's most challenging yet as she was forced to face one of her greatest fears: water.
The 42-year-old cannot swim, she said The sun the fear stems from a deep-seated childhood memory after her parents tried to teach her.
Sheridan Smith, 42, has admitted she had to face her biggest fear for her latest role in new drama The Castaways
The series explores the solo investigation into what happened to Sheridan's character Lori when the plane she was traveling to Fiji on allegedly crashed.
'I went underwater and couldn't get up again. Since then I've just been panicking,” she explained.
Sheridan revealed that when she took on the role, she didn't realize it would involve swimming or heights, which the star also fears.
She said: 'When do I tell them I can't swim and I'm afraid of heights? I was committed, so I just had to go for it. But I overcame my fears and hopefully it will be worth it.”
During a Q&A for the series, the star admitted she was “terrified of water” before she started filming.
She said The mirror: 'I was terrified of water. And I'm in the water for most of the show. And I'm afraid of heights and I was in a tree and on a cliff, so it was a challenge, but I like a challenge and I was in safe hands with the boys, so I'm very happy I took it on.”
She continued: 'I had a few sessions with the stuntmen, first in a swimming pool and then in the sea. I couldn't even go underwater without holding my nose. They had to keep putting me in the shallow end.
'But I did become braver. The stunt team was great. They were always nearby, so if I had to dive out of my depth, knowing I couldn't swim, they were there to grab me when I surfaced.”
Sheridan is best known for her role as James Corden's sister Rudi in the sitcom Gavin and Stacey.
The star is afraid of water and never learned to swim after her parents tried to teach her
Céline Buckens also stars in the drama as Sheridan's sister Erin
Sheridan, who played James Corden's character Smithy's sister Rudi, suggested earlier this week that Gavin and Stacey would not be returning, despite fans 'all wanting' the star cast to return
Earlier this week she revealed whether she wants the show to return following fan speculation about it returning to screens for a new special.
Speaking to Jason King and Kelly Brook on Heart Breakfast, Sheridan said she doesn't know if the show will return, but she thinks “so many shows are overdoing it.”
Sheridan suggested the show would not return, despite fans “all wanting” the all-star cast to return.
During her radio appearance, she said, “I have no idea if they're going to do more or not, I really don't know.”
To which host JK replied, “I'm sure I saw something that there wouldn't be.”
And Sheridan added: “But I think what they've done is genius, they've left it at a high level, haven't they, so many shows overdo it, because we all want more, we all want more Gavin & Stacey.”