Actress Sheridan Smith’s performance in new BBC1 drama The C-Word has been praised by viewers.

The 33-year-old star played Lisa Lynch, who died in 2013 at the same age after suffering from cancer, in the one-off drama.

Lisa started an irreverent blog after learning about her diagnosis when she was just 28 and trying to get pregnant.

Sheridan Smith and Paul Nicholls in The C Word
Sheridan Smith and Paul Nicholls in The C Word (BBC/Stuart Wood)

Gavin And Stacey actress Sheridan, who became close to Lisa and previously portrayed Cilla Black on screen, tweeted as the Sunday night drama began.

The C-Word averaged 3.8 million viewers, peaking at 4.2 million, and a 17.4% share of the audience, beating all other channels apart from ITV, which broadcast Sunday Night At The Palladium.

It drew plaudits from viewers.

Meanwhile, Lisa’s book The C-Word shot-up the Amazon bestseller list and is currently at number two.

Lisa’s brother James D McFarlane said: “If her book and this production get more people checking for lumps, and talking about cancer, then Lisa Lynch and The C-Word will have succeeded.”