BBC 1 WDYTYA: Series 11, Episode 5, Sheridan Smith

[jillruss]

She was bound to be a bit OTT considering she's in musical theatre, but I enjoyed the programme. Her enthusiasm was contagious and made me stick with it when my attention began to pall (it was all that banjo playing - almost as bad as Tamzin's ice cream making!). I'm glad I stuck with it, as it got more interesting when we discovered Benjamin wasn't such a paragon after all.

I still preferred Brian Blessed's episode but would place this one second best of the series so far, although I still haven't watched the Mrs Brown one. I have it recorded but haven't got round to watching it yet - would rather sit in a darkened room thinking up exotic names for paint colours than watch Mrs Brown's Boys!! I keep trying to disassociate the two in my mind, but have so far failed.

I thought Sheridan was a delightful lady - don't think we've ever had such a 'touchy feely' subject before. She even involved the researchers by clutching their arms or giving them hugs! And why not....

Jill

[Martin109]

You may find the actor behind the Mrs Brown character to be quite a relief.  I won't spoil it for you, but don't be put off by the Mrs Brown character - just a stage persona.

[Minimoo]

I enjoyed this very much.Maybe  biased as my daughter was at the same dance school as Sheridan so we have known her since she was tiny. She is a smashing girl and her Mum is lovely too.

[heywood]

I need to watch Sheridan Smith again as I was busy and missed a few bits.
I enjoyed what I saw though - particularly her genuine love for her parents and the no nonsense approach to getting up and singing in the club!
BB is my favourite to date- we watched him again with family yesterday evening. His responses were such a delight.
I did find the Irish ones interesting because of my connections but Jill, I couldn't separate  Brendan O' C from Mrs B. It was like watching Agnes dressed up in male clothing 

[lisalucie]

I liked Sheridan (apart from the bursting into tears bits but every celeb that does that has me rolling my eyes).

Brian blessed still my fav so far. And as others have said I did prefer the old format and not how they now seem to specifically try and find an ancester to have something in common with (mine am all miners...I ain't found any coal related similarities between me and them yet lol) x

[Retriever]

Am I right in thinking Sheridan was in the Jonathan Creek series?

I'm still surprised Brian Bessed proved so popular. I have to admit when I saw his name I did think "oh no". Just shows you never can tell.

[Vicki Morley]

Whilst I thought she came across as a lovely person and so very interested in whats she's found out (much like me, I get a little OTT when I discover something new, and often shed a tear), I just didnt find the show that gripping.  I dont know why, but when the beginning of the programme shows what she's done career wise, then some driving, then some singing, I just lost interest.   Too much padding. 

For me, it reminded me of the Sarah Millican episode and felt a bit "lets learn how to do things your ancestor did".  Whilst its just my opinion, Im not that interested in a "how to", but I like to see a story uncover, whether its back through the generations, or a more in depth about one person (although I prefer going back, back and back some more). 

Im sure the story of the gt gt (?) grandfather was interesting but the padding put me off and I ended up doing some of my own tree.

[Ringrose]

I was bored after 10 minutes and kept wondering when we were going to get some family history .Too much time spent on banjo playing.This could have been a programme by itself.So Benjamin was born in the workhouse.No real interest shown here or as to why he was born there,It would have been good to have gone back another generation.
I prefer the old format when celebrities did go back several generations and on both sides.
Like all programmes these days too much padding .
Not a favourite one of mine.
Ringrose

[chirp]

The name Sheridan is certainly unusual and if you were not familiar with her work there is no way of knowing whether it is likely to be a male or female. I had seen her in something but I can't remember what it was. I am finding that with recent series I don't retain much detail of each episode. That could simply be me getting old, or that I was more interested in those particular celebrities, but the ones I best remember are from earlier series. The fact is though that we are all still watching, so long may WDYTYA continue that's what I say!