This is Scunthorpe --ONE of Sheridan Smith's top mentors has paid glowing tribute to the actress after she scooped a BAFTA.
The Epworth star picked up the leading actress gong at the awards ceremony for her role as Charmian Biggs, wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, in the ITV hit-show Mrs Biggs.
Sheridan beat off competition from Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax), Rebecca Hall (Parade's End) and Sienna Miller (The Girl) to claim the trophy.
Kay Traviss, group founder, tutor and director of Kay Traviss Dance Group said Sheridan's role as Mrs Biggs was a much different role for her.
Sheridan spent time with Kay when she was a teacher at John Leggott College.
And the theatre group leader said she had known then that she was destined for big things.
Kay said she followed Sheridan's progress with great pride, none more so than when she was given parts in the West End in Hedda Gabler and Legally Blonde.
"I remember her doing her practical work and I knew that she was undoubtedly an A grade student," she said.
"She did lots of local shows with me and would often come round to my house and play with my cats, as she was a big animal lover."
She said the 31-year-old's performance had seen her play against type.
"I watched Mrs Biggs when it was on the television and I wrote to her and her mother in Epworth, as I thought it would be a memorable moment in her career," she said.
"She was becoming used to playing the roles of ladettes, so doing this was very different for her and I knew it would be an important one for her in the future.
"And it turns out that it was.
"Sheridan once told me that the two people that pushed her the most were me and Joyce Mason."
Joyce Mason runs the Joyce Mason School of Dance on Ashby High Street where Sheridan was a student from the age of four to 16.
"She was a super pupil," Joyce said. "She was astute and always keen to learn.
"She just lived for being on stage."
Joyce described Sheridan's time at the dance school as "very successful" having taken part in a number of competitions and shows at The Plowright Theatre.
"She certainly has achieved outstanding recognition on the stage and as an actress," she said. "I would say she is destined for greater things as she is wonderful to work with.
"Whatever takes her interest she will take up.
"She has no airs and graces or pre-Madonna status.
"She was just lovely to be around."
In an emotional acceptance speech, the star thanked producers for putting up with her "daily self doubt".
Following her award, she took to the social networking site Twitter to say: "Thank you so so much for all your kind messages. Can't believe it! Apologies for my language in the speech. I was in complete & utter shock Xx."
Turn to pages 43-53 for your local entertainment guide. Reported by This is 4 days ago.