Sheridan Smith has suffered her fair share of heartbreak over the years, with the BAFTA-winning actress experiencing tragedy in her personal life earlier this year

Inside Sheridan Smith’s romances as she returns in new ITV drama (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

National treasure Sheridan Smith returns to our screens once again this evening, as powerful new drama I Fought The Law begins on ITV.

Sheridan takes on the role of Ann Ming, the heartbroken mother who fought tirelessly to change the Double Jeopardy Law to get justice for her murdered daughter, Julie Hogg.

Based on a true story, and Ann’s book, the harrowing script allows Sheridan demonstrate yet again why she is one of the country’s most accomplished and talented acting stars.

While Sheridan has undoubtedly a career that’s only ever on the up, her personal life hasn’t always been smooth sailing. We take a look at some of the mum-of-one’s most high profile romances since rising to fame.

James Corden

Sheridan and James Corden were in a rocky relationship for two years (Image: Getty Images)

Sheridan and James Corden enjoyed a two-year relationship after meeting on the set of the TV series Fat Friends in 2002, before playing siblings Smithy and Rudi in Gavin and Stacey.

Their relationship began in 2007 but hit the rocks and they split just a year later in 2008. Both remained unattached for a brief spell until James revealed in 2009 that they’d reignited their romance, calling Sheridan the “love of his life” and not ruling out wedding bells.

Speaking to The Mirror at the time, he enthusiastically revealed, “Yes, Sheridan and I are back together and it’s going brilliantly, I couldn’t be happier. I want to marry my girl.”

However, the love affair between the Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star and her partner wasn’t meant to have a storybook conclusion. Tying the knot was clearly not on her wish list, as she subsequently confessed: “I was a lot wilder back then. I wasn’t someone who was in a frame of mind of settling down.”

Sheridan played Smithy’s sister, Rudi, in Gavin and Stacey

By 2009, they had called it quits, leaving James “heartbroken”. In a candid chat with The Times, he revealed: “I was heartbroken and lost. I’d had a relationship with Sheridan which was heartbreaking, when you think something might work and it doesn’t. And I felt a bit lost.”

He went on, exposing the emotional chaos of that period: “And feeling lost, and feeling heartbroken, and feeling single for the first time in your adult life, at the very moment when you become a little bit famous, is quite a potent mix.”

Their split meant many feared Sheridan wouldn’t reprise her role as Rudy for the final outing of Gavin and Stacey in December. However, it looks like Sheridan and James are on friendly terms these days as the mum-of-one made a surprise cameo in the comedy’s last ever episode on Christmas Day.

Ross McCall

In 2010, Sheridan began dating Scottish actor Ross McCall, following a decade-long friendship. However, after a fleeting romance, they split later that year, with the actress blaming the pressures of a long-distance relationship.

Greg Wood

Sheridan and Greg didn’t end things on good terms (Image: Lime Pictures)

After several year stint of being single, Sheridan then enjoyed a romance with Hollyoaks actor Greg Wood, known for playing Trevor Royle on the Channel 4 soap. The pair went public with their relationship in January 2015 and famously got matching inkings.

Sheridan’s tattoo declared ‘Gregory’s Girl’, whilst Greg opted for ‘My Sheri Amour’ alongside an ‘all in’ heart-shaped playing card design. However, by July 2015, Sheridan was taking to Twitter to blast Greg after being “hurt by an idiot boy yet again” as it was claimed he had cheated with Hollyoaks star Tamara Wall.

They then reconciled in November of the same year but it was soon reported they hit the rocks again just before Christmas 2015 and split.

Graham Nation

In March this year, it was reported that one of Sheridan’s ex boyfriend’s had tragically died at the age of 39. Graham Nation, a celebrity stylist, died suddenly at a Los Angeles gym on February 14.

Graham, who had welcomed his first child into the world last year, had dated Sheridan briefly in 2017 – with the BAFTA-winning actress describing him as her dream man at the time.

They even lived together at Sheridan’s London home but it wasn’t to be and Graham moved out and their romance fizzled out.

Graham’s death was confirmed earlier this year(Image: sheridansmithster/Instagram)

Jamie Horn

In 2018, Sheridan struck up a romance with Jamie Horn after matching with the insurance broker on dating app Tinder. Jamie eventually popped the question, and in October 2019, the soap star revealed she was expecting, initially sharing a cryptic image with the caption: “Last time I’ll look like this for a while..”

She later confirmed the wonderful news with a picture of her stage pass, adding the message: “About to set sail for 4 days, wish me luck with my morning sickness”. Sheridan revealed the arrival of their son Billy on her Instagram account, posting an adorable photograph of her newborn on Saturday, 9 May 2020.

Sheridan shares a son with Jamie(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The actress, who had previously opened up about her childbirth anxieties, was clearly overjoyed as she penned: “Our little man has arrived! We are both completely overwhelmed with love,” alongside a blue heart emoji.

Sadly, in August 2021, Sheridan and her partner Jamie parted ways and ended their engagement. The couple released a joint statement at the time, expressing their heartbreak: “It is with great sadness that we have decided to have some time apart.”

They emphasised their commitment to co-parenting, stating: “We both remain completely committed to raising our beautiful boy Billy together. ”

Alex Lawler

After her relationship with Jamie, Sheridan revealed in 2021 that she was dating actor Alex Lawler. Intriguingly, Sheridan and Alex were an item two decades ago and reignited their romance.

The proud mum shared a video with her son on Instagram, along with a photo of Alex, confirming their blossoming love story. In the caption, she couldn’t hide her delight at reuniting with her old flame.

She wrote: “So pleased this fitty I dated back in the day (20 years ago) is back in my life! Life works in mysterious ways,” she wrote alongside a smiling face emoji and prince emoji. She ended with: “miss you Mr L,” followed by a red heart emoji.

In January 2022, it was announced that the couple had split up.

Dave ‘Rocky’ Ryan

The actress then started dating Dave ‘Rocky’ Ryan, a former boxer and brother to her friend Sandy Ryan, in 2023. She frequently posted cosy snaps with Dave as they enjoyed holidays and date nights, one showed them dressed to the nines with their arms around each other.

By the close of 2024, it was reported that the couple had parted ways, with their relationship reportedly having “fizzled out”. An insider revealed to The Sun: “Sheridan decided to end things with Dave a few weeks ago after their romance fizzled out.”

The source further disclosed that the split was friendly, adding: “Thankfully her stage show has kept her busy and there is no bad blood after they ended on good terms.”