‘It's doggy heaven!'

Sheridan Smith chats to TV Times about her paw-fect new presenting job

- Caren Clark

With her infectious laugh and friendly, down-to-earth manner, Sheridan Smith has long been one of TV Times’ all-time favourite interviewees. And when we catch up with the actor and singer over the phone for an exclusive interview, she’s never been so keen to talk to us!

Already bursting with pride after becoming mum to baby son Billy in May, she can’t wait to reveal all about her dream job presenting BBC1’s brand-new dog grooming contest, Pooch Perfect.

A self-confessed ‘crazy dog lady’, with six cute canine companions at home, Sheridan’s the ideal choice to oversee the eight-part search for the nation’s top dog stylist and she’ll be helped by co-host Stanley, a gorgeous cross-breed.

The series sees 16 professional groomers take part in various themed ‘transFURmations’ on beloved pets in a bid to impress judges and grooming experts Colin Taylor and Verity Hardcastle.

Here, Sheridan, 39, tells us why her new talent show is set to be paw-some entertainment…

This is your debut as the host of an entertainment show. Did you enjoy doing something different?

I like hiding behind a character, so it was nerve-racking, but lovely. It’s such a fun show. When I do factual dramas with Jeff Pope [who created Sheridan’s acclaimed series Mrs Biggs, Cilla and The Moorside], it’s hard to switch off after crying all day. But with this, I’m just laughing and cuddling dogs. It’s doggy heaven! It was lovely, too, because Billy was only three months old and could be in the green room next to set with my fiancé Jamie [Horn].