Hugh Sheridan reflects on controversy during a nightmare year

Hugh Sheridan has reflected on his difficult year after the tragic death of his father Denis following controversy surrounding his casting as a transgender character in a play.

Things appear to be looking up for Hugh Sheridan after a difficult year.

Last month, the actor’s father and swing singer Denis tragically died from cancer.

Months prior, Sheridan was embroiled in controversy after a musical that he was set to star in - Hedwig and the Angry Inch - was cancelled amid criticism from transgender activists.

“It’s clearly been a huge road since I returned to Australia for 5 months to do a show that was cancelled,” he wrote on Instagram.

“But in the mean time I found much more; new friends, new work, found love while I watched my closest die in my arms and here I still am almost 10 moths away.

Hugh Sheridan's father Dennis passed away of cancer aged 76 last month. Picture: Instagram

“Through it all I’m happy to let you know there’s much to come yet that’s unannounced... .”

Last year, celebrities including actor Rebel Wilson rallied around Sheridan after he faced backlash over his casting as a transgender character in the Hedwig play.

LGBTQ+ group The Queer Artist Alliance Australia wrote an open letter criticising producers over the casting decision because Sheridan is not transgender.

He later sparked health concerns after being admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital following an anxiety attack.

Hugh Sheridan was set to star in Hedwig and the Angry Inch before it was cancelled last year

“Basically in the days leading up to it, I had performed a Christmas pageant in Adelaide, I had done a show for Soho House International, I had done appearances for the Qantas 100th birthday celebrations ... then that night I had realised that something was going on with (Hedwig) and it all just hit me,” Sheridan said at the time.

Hugh Sheridan is engaged to TikTok influencer Kurt Roberts. Picture Mark Brake

“The doctor said to me that sometimes the brain can just hit a switch like an eject button. I didn’t remember anything. My sister Zoe suffers from epilepsy and she says she experiences the same thing when she has a seizure. But it was at that point I ­realised that I was suffering a ­little bit more than I realised.

“And I needed to focus on what was really going on.”

The Packed to the Rafters star got engaged to TikTok influencer Kurt Roberts in March.