Sheridan Smith has asked online trolls to stop sending abusive messages about her and her baby son.
The Bafta-winning actor, who can next be seen in BBC One crime drama The Barking Murders, gave birth to her son Billy in May.
In a recent Instagram post Smith told her followers she would not be posting any pictures of her son’s face, writing: "I won't be putting pics of the boy up on social media. But basically... he looks like a male version of me. Just less 80s and more handsome! God love him! We all send our love."
Some followers took this as an opportunity to criticise Smith, with one person referring to her recent documentary Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum, which her son did not appear in, writing: "But you'll happily abuse his right to privacy to make TV documentaries. And cash. The hypocrisy of Sheridan."
Smith hit back with: "He wasn't in it but I'm sorry you feel that way. I was just expressing my mental health issues and hoping to help others.x."
Later, she added: "My boy is the only thing that keeps me going. Please leave us alone."
Former Strictly dancer Kevin Clifton voiced his support for Smith, writing: "I really don't understand the mindset of people who make these comments."
Smith’s documentary, which aired on ITV in earlier this month, followed her and her partner Jamie, and told the intimate story of her pregnancy and mental health struggles, past and present, as she prepared to become a mother for the first time.
