Sheridan Smith was left in tears after watching a powerful lip sync battle on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The West End star, 39, made her judging debut on the hit show and was able to put her experience to use as she judged the queens on their musical theatre skills.
During the episode the contestants performed in Rats The Ru-sical, a unique take on stage show Cats, before Cherry Valentine and Tayce landed in the bottom two.
Keen to prove their worth and remain in the competition, the two drag queens had to mime along to a classic show tune – Elaine Page’s version of Memory from Cats.
Cherry Valentine, 26, and Tayce brought the drama and power as they rocked the stage and flooded their performances with emotion.
As the final notes played the camera revealed that Sheridan, who has starred in West End musicals such as Funny Girl and Legally Blonde, was welling up with tears.
The blonde beauty, who was also pregnant at the time of filming, wiped away her tears as she declared ‘I’m crying’ to her fellow judging panel.
Although Sheridan was clearly moved by the lip synch, the final decision was down to RuPaul who sent Cherry Valentine sashaying back to her home in Darlington.
RuPaul said: ‘Roses are red, violets are blue. You are Cherry Valentine and we’ll miss you.’
Ahead of the lip synch, Cherry Valentine had exuded confidence as she said: ‘I do not deserve to go. I do not deserve to leave this competition’
While Tayce countered: ‘I ain’t going home. And if I have to kick a b***h out, I’ll kick a b***h out. By the stiletto!’
Taking the exit news in her stride, Cherry Valentine said: ‘Thank you very much. You have lit a fire under my arse, and never again will I let anyone overlook me, ever.
‘I’ve learnt to always be yourself. Don’t give a s**t about what everyone else thinks about you. You do you. Every day is valentine’s day.’
She also left a note in lipstick on the mirror in the werk room: ‘Always remember love yourself first. Can’t wait to pop your cherries again.’
Elsewhere in the show, the theme of the maxi runway challenge was ‘Surprise Surprise’ and the overall winner was Veronica Green.
Cherry Valentine’s look was based on a gender reveal party, as she stepped out with a pregnant tummy and bright yellow minidress, splitting the judges’ opinion.
Michelle Visage said: ‘The saying never let ’em see you sweat is important – but in Rats The Rusical we saw it in Cherry’s face. We could see her scrambling. Ru’s favourite word: it’s her inner saboteur.’
While Alan Carr added: ‘In Rats The Rusical she got lost – and she didn’t save herself on the runway. I knew what the surprise was going to be.’
However Sheridan said: ‘I disagree, Alan! I loved the polka dot and I loved the gender baby… I actually was surprised… I’ve got a matching baby bump!’
Ahead of her debut on Thursday, Sheridan joked fans won’t be able to miss her bump after squeezing into a pair of tight leather trousers for filming.
The then-expectant mum dressed her bump in a black vest top and a chic longline white blazer with a black trim as she she pulled out all the stops for her appearance.
Sheridan, who is a Drag Race superfan, rounded off her stylish look with studded black boots and gold hooped earrings.
The stunner styled her blonde tresses in a high ponytail and added a pop of colour with red lips as she joined the panel for the music and dance week.
Speaking about her time on the show, Cilla star Sheridan said: ‘That was amazing! I am such a superfan! I’m shaking! Ru was sat next to me! And Michelle Visage! And Alan Carr! It’s been amazing.
‘The queens are fabulous. I had the best day. I felt like I’d won a competition.’
The star, who welcomed son Billy in May, added that viewers should look out for her ‘fangirling and my massive pregnant belly!’
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