Sheridan Smith pulls out of Funny Girl musical for up to a month with 'stress and exhaustion'

The actress has been struggling through a particularly tough time in recent weeks

Sheridan Smith in rehearsals for Funny Girl (Marc Brenner)

Sheridan Smith is taking extended time off from Funny Girl to recover from stress and exhaustion.

The 34-year-old actress plays the lead role of Fanny Brice in the West End musical but has been pulling out of performances sporadically of late.

Producers have said that Smith will take a leave of absence from the Savoy Theatre for between two and four weeks while she gets “the rest and support she needs”.

“The entire team at Funny Girl is thinking of Sheridan, and know she is getting the rest and support she needs during this very difficult and stressful time,” a statement read. “We will all miss her enormously and send her our love and best wishes - and we are looking forawrd to her return to the show in due course.

“Meanwhile, we are thrilled to support the wonderful Natasha J Barnes who will be taking on the role of Fanny Brice until Sheridan’s return.”

Barnes has tweeted her appreciation to the Funny Girl audiences, thanking them for their support. She has received “high praise on the occasions that she has appeared,” the statement said.

Smith apologised on Twitter for not being “strong enough” to fulfill her commitments to the role before making her account private. The performances she have given so far have earned glowing reviews, with critics praising her for make the role made famous by Barbara Streisand in the 1968 film her own.