Inside Soap (3-9 April 2010)

Our favourite windmill-dwelling magician's assistant returns for a new special on BBC1 this week, in which he investigates a case involving a young woman who seems to be possessed by the spirit of a Victorian sorceress.

"It's a very dark story," reveals Alan Davis, who plays the sleuth. "It's also the first time you see Jonathan in court. Often he doesn't have a lot to do with the police - they just turn up and say, 'Thank you very much, Mr Creek' and take the culprit away - so to play that side ws interesting."
This new case also sees the return of paranormal investigator Joey Ross, played by Sheridan Smith, who finds herself recruited for conjurer Adam Klaus' stage show.
"That was quite a surprise," she tells us. "I can't swim, and in the last special I got plunged into water, and I'm scared of heights, so for this one I'm up on wires! I'm conquering all my fears through Jonathan Creek."
Although Jonathan and Joey have gone their seperate ways since the last case, it's not long before they're reunited.
"She tracks him down, and he pretends to be irritated," Alan grins. "There's something intriguing about her, as there is with Sheridan in real life! Joey's like an irritating little sister."
"She rubs him up the wrong way," Sheridan agrees. "But I'm so thrilled to be back - I thought I might have been booted out!"
Jonathan's first meeting with tthe troubled young lady, Emily, takes place before he gets involved in the case, and the chance encounter suggests a hint of romance between the two - which historically is not an area in which he's enjoyed an awful lot of luck!
"Jonathan's had the odd fling," Alan recalls. "He once slept with Maddy Magellan, I think the line afterwards was, 'Well, we won't be doing that again, will we?'. And there was a VAT inspector who was turned on by the fact he kept his receipts in a suitcase. But generally he blows it with girls - and messes up this time, too."
The case throws up plenty of hurdles for Jonathan and Joey to overcome, some of which seem to be paranormal - though Sheridan's unsure about how much she believes in the ghostly side of things.
"I'm a bit on the fence," she shares. "I daren't say I don't believe in case a spirit comes to haunt me! I had to do interviews early one morning for Legally Blonde, which I'm appearing in in the West End, and thought, 'Shall I just stay the night at the theatre?'. But I decided there wasn't a chance I was sleeping there on my own in case the theatre ghost got me!"

Tv Times (3-9 April 2010)

Inside Chiswick Town Hall, west London, Tv Times is enjoying a game of cards with Jonathan Creek stars Alan Davies and Sheridan Smith. We're not playing snap, rummy or poker, though, because we don't actually have a full deck. We only have a king of diamonds, a queen of clubs and a jack of hearts.

And measuring around 5ft-high each, they could be straight out of Bruce Forsyth's classic ITV game show Play Your Cards Right.

So it's somehow fitting that our photographer shouts 'higher' or 'lower', like Brucie's contestants did, as he gets Alan, Sheridan and us to juggle the cards into a perfect position for our exclusive pictures.

When Alan's quirky character, Jonathan, isn't solving baffling murder-mysteries, he's inventing magic tricks for flamboyant but clueless illusionist Adam Klaus (played by Stuart Millington).

It was no great surprise, therefore, when we found the giant cards among a wonderful collection of props (including Moroccan lanterns, caskets and statues) that the Creek team is using to transform an empty room inside the town hall into a set where Jonathan and Adam rehearse.

Today's scenes are for a new 95-minute special for the BBC1 crime drama. "This is at the start,' explains Alan. 'The first time you see Creek, he's wheeling in Adam's head on a silver platter!'

The episode, The Judas Tree, took four weeks to film. It reunites Jonathan with hsi cynical sidekick Joey Ross (Sheridan). The pair first teamed up for the 2009 New Year Special, The Grinning Man.

This time, Joey asks for help after sinister events befall a young woman. The pair are soon unravelling the link between a present-day and a Victorian mystery. There's also an hilarious sub-plot that sees Joey become Adam's new assistant!

Here, Alan, 44, and Sheridan, 28, give us a few more clues...

So, what more can you tell us about the plot of The Judas Tree?
Alan: It's difficult to tell you too much, but I can reveal that Jonathan gets it wrong!

Does Joey get it right?!
Alan: You'll have to wait and see! There are a couple of unusual things in this one because there are so many murders he's helping to solve. It's also the first time viewers will see Jonathan in court, giving evidence.

Jonathan's definitely met his match in Joey. Is romance in the air?
Alan: With the two of them bickering all day long, it's more like the relationship with Maddy Magellan [played by Caroline Quentin in the first three series]. And for viewers it'd be a stretch of credibility given that Sheridan's about 40 years younger than me!
Sheridan: Jonathan's like a big brother to Joey. She likes Creek but also enjoys iwnding him up and making out she's superior. They get on better in this episode but still irritate the hell out of each other!

Considering Jonathan Creek had been off screen for five years, how did you feel when The Grinning Man attracted 9.9 milllion viewers?
Alan: We were thrilled! When I saw the Top 10 programmes for New Year week and we were above EastEnders, I thought, "Now that's good going!". I'm on Twitter and every single day I get asked if there will be more Creeks.
Sheridan: I'm honoured to be back because I thought they'd have a new sidekick for this special.

Jonathan's not a typical hero. What is it about him that people love?
Alan: I think it's more that people like a good story, that's the real appeal. If you don't watch till the end you're going to be up all night wondering what happened! Creek writer David Renwick is a master storyteller.

If David wrote more episodes, would you be happy to continue playing Jonathan?
Alan: Sure. But this is the 27th mystery that David's come up with and it's not going to be a bottomless well. I don't know if he'll do more, but I always say: If you think of one, I'll get my duffel coat out!

Has working on Jonathan Creek turned you into sceptics?
Alan: I'm totally sceptical! I can't watch Derek Acorah doing Most Haunted. I sit there going "Whatever!" A crew member on one of those type of shows told me a story about a girl who went to bed with a teddy bear and dreamt the bear had gone next door.
When she woke, the bear was indeed in the next room. He asked me how they did it and I replied that there were two bears, obviously. One had been planted next door and the one in the bed had been hidden. He looked so disappointed and I said, "I'm sorry but that's 12 years of Jonathan Creek for you!".

How about you, Sheridan?
Sheridan: Weirdly enough, the other night I watched one of the old episodes of Jonathan Creek on my own and the whole house started banging, rattling and shaking! I'm normally very Joey about it all but I was so scared; my dogs were going mental. It turned out to be a tap - the pressure in the pipes was wrong and I had to get a plumber. But at the time I thought, I'm going to have to get Alan round here to help me work out what's happening!
Alan: And I'd have turned up and said, "That'll be the heating!"

Tv Choice (3-9 April 2010)

The supposed possession of a young woman by the spirit of a Victorian sorceress forms the backdrop to the new Jonathan Creek mystery, The Judas Tree.

Back in 1889, Dr Thadeus Northcote suffered an agonising and unexplained death in his Green Lanterns home after he spurned his secret lover and Egyptian housekeeper, who had him under her supernatural spell.

When the enchantress' sprit seems to return to the house, now owned by crime writer Hugo Dore (Paul McGann), to possess a housekeeper's assistant more than a century later, Jonathan (alan Davies) and sidekick Joey Ross (Sheridan Smith) are soon embroiled in the mystery.

The one-off special also has guest appearances by ex-Corrie star Sasha Behar, as Hugo's wife Harriet, and Doreen Mantle (One Foot In The Grave's Mrs Warboys), as housekeeper Mrs Gantry.

'It's really dark and it's the first time Jonathan gets it wrong,' says QI favourite Alan Davies, who first played the quiet master of illusion back in 1997.

'Nowadays we get new younger viewers, teenagers who like QI. They get the Jonathan Creek box set and find it hilarious to see me back in the Nineties.'

Life has also noticeably changed for the curly-haired comic since his wife Kate Maskell gave birth to baby Susie last December.

'We go to parent and baby film screenings,' he reveals. 'It's our principal social life at the moment!'

Meanwhile, Benidorm star Sheridan Smith found herself living the high life when filming this new mystery. 'I had to climb a rope for an Indian rope trick and was up on wires - so I was conquering my demons!'
 

Radio Times (3-9 April 2010)

Jonathan Creek's sidekick is baffled by magic and scared of Crimewatch

Which TV series would you take to a desert island?
Band of Brothers. My fella [actor Ross McCall] is in it, so it would be a way for me to see him. I could sit and stroke the screen.

Would you like to confess your guilty TV pleasure?
Where do I start? Deal or No Deal, Airline, A Place in the Sun... I'm in Legally Blonde: the Musical in London's West End, so I've got most of my days free at the moment - and I love daytime telly.

Who was your first TV crush?
The Bros twins, Matt and Luke. I even named two goldfish after them. And Pat Sharp from Fun House - though I'm not so proud of that.

What programme did you last change channels to avoid?
Crimewatch. They say, "Don't have nightmares", but I do! The music alone scares me. I can watch it with other people, but not on my own. Any little noise and I think someone's breaking in, or it's a ghost.

Your character Joey Ross in Jonathan Creek is a sceptic. Do you believe in magic?
I shared a flat with a magician - my friend Neil - for six years and I watched him do close-up magic. But I never wanted to know how it was done. I loved just being baffled. He would do a trick in which you'd sign a playing card and it would end up stuck to the ceiling. When we moved out, the ceiling was covered in cards. The landlord was furious.

You've played Ralf Little's girlfriend in both The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Were you gutted when he traded you in for Miranda Raison in Married Single Other?
But I've traded him in for Duncan James in Legally Blonde, and he's a great kisser. When we finished filming Two Pints, Ralf and I worried we'd never be cast as girlfriend and boyfriend again. It feels a bit as if I'm cheating on him, but I think we've both done very well.

As the owner of three dogs you are, by any measure, a dog person. Are dog people better than cat people?
My dogs - Barry Manilow, Enid and Trish - are lovely, and dogs are so much more pleased to see you than cats ever are, but above all, I'm an animal lover. I don't trust people who don't like animals. That said, I do get funny looks sometimes shouting my dogs' names in the park.

Would you go on a celebrity reality show?
I can't swim, I'm afraid of heights and I couldn't do the bug stuff, so I'd be useless in the jungle. Duncan did Dancing on Ice in 2007, but I would hurt myself. I prefer to watch from the safety of my own home.

What's your favourite radio station?
We like Heart in our house: the dogs love it and I'm a sucker for a ballad. I have karaoke nights at my flat and you have to come dressed up, Stars in Their Eyes - style, as your chosen singer. I do Dolly Parton, with big fake boobs and everything, and sing 9 to 5.

How are you with technology?
I recently bought a laptop because Ross lives in LA and we Skype - I'm just getting the hang of it.

What was the last thing you listened to on your iPod?
I live in a garden flat, rent my flat upstairs to three friends and borrow their music. It ranges from I am What I Am to Wham! I'm a gay man in a woman's body - and I love it!

Ok Magazine (April 2010)

Something strange and rather wonderful has happened to Sheridan Smith - she's suddenly found her inner girlieness, and it's all down to her starring role in London's biggest new smash-hit show Legally Blonde: The Musical. Time was when the popular British actress only played 'chavs and slappers' - and no, we're not being rude, those are her own words! - but now Sheridan's surprised herself by just how much her portrayal of high-maintenance American socialite Elle Woods is rubbing off on her.

'Everyone knows me as that chavvy, tracksuit-bottomed bird off Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps and I've always reckoned I was a bit of a tomboy myself,' says 28-year-old Sheridan. 'But now I'm in this show, I'm definitely finding my inner femininity. I've never worn pink before but pink is suddenly creeping into my off-stage wardrobe!'

In the show, which sees Sheridan perform a staggering 18 songs and 16 costume changes, Elle is abruptly dumped by the love of her life, snooty Warner Huntington (played by Blue's Duncan James) when he wins a place at Harvard Law School, citing a need for a more 'serious girlfriend'. She resolves to follow him but waiting cutely in the wings is another guy who slowly but surely proves to be Elle's true Mr Right - goofy fellow law student Emmett Forrest, played by the very presentable Alex Gaumond. 'It's a slow-burn romance, that kind of takes the audience by surprise', says 31-year-old Canadian Alex, 'and by the end of the show everyone's rooting for me!'

As ever with a hot-ticket West End show it's a relentlessly busy schedule for out on-stage sweethearts so Sheridan and Alex were very swiftly tempted with the promise of a fabulous lunch at Brasserie St Jacques in London's Mayfair just a few hours before curtain-up at the Savoy Theatre. Joining the pair was an extra guest in the form of Bruister, one of five adorable Chihuahuas who take turns to play Elle's ultimate handbag accessory, all of whom Sheridan is compelled to take home and sleep in bed with to achieve that special girl dog bond'.

Sheridan, congratulations on the runaway success of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Were you always confident it would be such a hit with the public?
Absolutely not, I thought we'd get slated! When you first hear the idea of Legally Blonde: The Musical, it does sound a bit ridiculous, and a bit of pink fluff, but when I saw the Broadway version I just fell in love with it. I thought it was so clever and witty - and when I heard it was coming to London, I phoned my agent and said: 'You've got to get me seen!"

One review said you were 'infintely more likeable than Reese Witherspoon in the film'. How does that feel?
That's amazing - and I love Reese, I adore her in the film, she's amazing. I also loved the Broadway version. But I think with British audiences, it's got to be a bit more tongue-in-cheek. I like to give a little wink to the audience and send up that LA lifestyle a bit and show that we're not taking ourselves too seriously.

Are you a girlie girl like Elle?
I didn't think I was, but my boyfriend disagrees - he says I am very girlie and that I fight it and pretend to be a tomboy because I've played those parts in TV shows like Two Pints and Benidorm. I usually play chavs, slags and slappers - working-class tarts with hearts. I like to call them - whereas this part is such a rich, homely LA girl, and so far removed from my image that I'm finding my inner femininity. I have to get my nails done for the show and I'm kind of enjoying it. Elle's dinfinitely rubbing off on me - but I'm 28, so I suppose I am becoming more womanly.

How are you coping with all the singing, dancing and mad costume changes?
I used to dance between the ages of four and 16 when I was in Scunthorpe at the Joyce Mason School of Dance! Then I stopped when I moved to London and I didn't exactly need dancing for telly work, so it's kind of been fun to return to my roots. The only thing I found difficult at first was singing and dancing at the same time, because I get a stitch walking to the car - I'm the laziest person ever!

What's it like working with Duncan James?
Duncan is lovely, but I do tease him. During a performance the other day he walked into the set by accident and I just went: 'Ooh, mind that!' completely in character, LA accent and all. The audience were in stiches. About five minutes later I had to leave the stage the other way and I made a point of stopping and walking around the set and got a round of applause. Later Duncan said: 'I'm so embarrassed. I can't believe you brought so much attention to it!'

But never mind Duncan, he's the baddie - your proper love interest is the very sexy Alex Gaumond as Emmett!
Alex is adorable and it's very easy to fall in love with him every night. Emmett sees through Elle's ditzy exterior to her true self and they end up together. Their most romantic moment is the song Take It Like A Man, in the second half - it's the first time she sees him properly and stops thinking about Warner, who she's been obsessed with through the first half.

Alex, many people coming along to the show might assume Duncan James is the leading man, but really it's you, isn't it?
I totally agree with what the producers have done - Duncan is a household name and he sells tickets. But it's nice because I really come from nowhere - I show up half an hour into the story and then it's a real build-up to when suddenly the audience is on my side, fighting my corner.

Sheridan, you mentioned your boyfriend before we asked - who's the lucky fella?
He's Ross McCall, a British actor who's living in LA. We were friends ten years ago and he moved to America five years ago and we lost touch. He came back at Christmas and said he was coming to watch the show and we got together and it's been great ever since. It's a long-distance relationship. We Skype every night - I can even Skype him in my dressing-room on my laptop.

Would you like to get married?
I'd like to hope so, but I feel like I've got plenty of time. I'm only 28. But of course I'd love that. I can picture living in a nice stone cottage in the South of France with lots of doggies, but there's a bit more grafting to do yet!

You were going out with James Corden - are you still friends?
Yes, we're really good mates. He hasn't come to see the show yet but he's promised he will. He's said he'll leave me to settle in and then he'll sneak in but James can't sneak in - you can always hear his booming laugh, so as soon as he's in I'll know. He'll probably come in wearing dark glasses and a cap!

What's it like going to the stage door and meeting fans after the show each night?
Sheridan: That's my favourite bit of the night! London theatre isn't a cheap night out so it's quite something for people to come and choose your show and then wait in the freezing rain just to say hello afterwards. The least we can do is stand out there for a good hour. They bring me gifts - Elle things, teddies with blonde wigs on, chocolate. I make sure I meet everyone there waiting.
Alex: We've been overwhelmed by the audience response, which has meant they've had to move people from the stage door to the front of the theatre so at the end of each performance there's a bit of a crowd that gathers. There are some very enthusiatic fans. Playing the nice guy, I tend to do well with teenage girls and their mothers! I'm fully aware that they're mainly here to see people like Duncan and Sheridan - their signature is probably quite a coveted thing. But it's nice to show up and they cheer foryou; they go 'Oh, there's Emmett!'

Sheridan, who's the best kisser - Alex or Duncan?
If I say Alex, Duncan will get jealous and vice versa. They're both brilliant kissers - but not as good as Ross!

Sheridan, it's such and energetic part, do you have to keep a check on your diet?
That's the best thing. I can eat what I like because I burn it all off, sometimes two shows a day, which means I'm running around with 36 songs in one day. So I eat burgers and all the usual rubbish. Sorry, Mum, if you're reading! I have stopped smoking though!

Have there been any unpredictable on-stage moments with the dogs?
There've been a few. I actually turned to the audience the other night and went: 'Never work with what?' He usually runs and jumps onto the bed - and on that occasion he wouldn't move!

Has your family come to see the show?
My mum's seen it so many times. She brought bus-load of 50 people from our village, Epworth. She calls them the SAS - the Sheridan Appreciation Society! And my dad and my brother came for opening night. They had a pink carpet and my dad walked in front of the paps wearing a T-shirt with my picture on and it said 'I'm the Daddy'!

Is your dressing room pink?
Because I've got so many pink cards and flowers it is kind of. And there are pictures of Marily Manroe and Dolly Parton, my idols! Not camp at all!