Sheridan Smith has returned to her leading role in West End show Funny Girl following time off for stress and exhaustion.

The Cilla actress took leave of absence from the musical in mid-May, and was reported later that month to have "collapsed".

At first, the 35-year-old was expected to take roughly four weeks to recover. It has now been almost two months since Smith last took to the stage.

On Friday, the show's producers announced that they were "delighted" to welcome Smith back to Funny Girl that evening.

"It is currently planned that Sheridan will also play this Saturday evening (not matinee), and Monday to Saturday next week (excluding the Wednesday matinee and Thursday evening performances at which Natasha J Barnes will perform)", they said.

"From the week commencing 18 July, Sheridan is scheduled to perform Tuesday through Saturday, with Natasha playing Fanny Brice on Monday evenings.

"This schedule is subject to change, but we look forward to continuing to entertain audiences at the Savoy Theatre until our run ends on 8 October".

On May 12, Smith pulled out of the show after missing the three previous performances.