Sheridan Smith Out of Jonathan Creek

As already intimated, Sheridan Smith has had to quit as Jonathan Creek’s sidekick Joey Ross because of her work schedule and the Easter special this year was her last appearance.

The BBC series starring Alan Davies in the title role returns for a three-part run in 2014 with Sarah Alexander (who appeared at Easter as Jonathan’s wife Polly), to take over the role of his assistant.

Sheridan has played the online paranormal investigator since 2009, but the filming dates clash with her playing Titania opposite David Walliams as Bottom in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Noel Coward Theatre from September to November.

A BBC spokesman said: “We have absolutely loved having Sheridan as part of the Jonathan Creek family for the last few years but she is, of course, ever in demand as a performer, and is increasingly busy with other commitments".