The C Word

How can you summarise Lisa Lynch and her brutally honest yet outrageously funny cancer blog in a 90-minute film? Well, you can't. Her one-liners alone could fill a TV series or five. So it's just as well the makers of The C Word didn't try; instead, they showed us the story behind the ballsy humour — the heartbreak and frustration coupled with love that can't be destroyed by "The Bullsh*t".

The C Word takes us on a journey of stark contrasts. On the one hand, we have a young, beautiful woman in her prime, enjoying newly married life, parties, music and friends; on the other, we watch as The Bullsh*t wreaks havoc with her life, robbing her of friends she has just made and stopping her from doing the things we take for granted, like taking a bath unaided and nipping out to the shops. The film oscillates between these two extremes, reminding us just how cruel cancer is.

Sheridan Smith delivers yet again, allowing you to believe for those 90 minutes that she is Lisa Lynch. However, she is not alone — this is a top-class cast, from Paul Nicholls who delivers a brilliantly understated yet powerful performance as Lisa's husband Pete, to Kris Hallenga, appearing as herself in the only fictional but oh-so-right part of the story.

Do watch this film. Then read the book and the blog. As I've already mentioned, this is a heavily distilled version of events, and you haven't lived until you've read the one about the ginger-pube eyelashes. There are still plenty of gags though. And Louboutins. Which I now know are not pronounced 'La-boot-ins'. One more thing to thank Lisa for.

The C Word is a one off television film based on the book and blog writings of Lisa Lynch who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and died in 2013 at the age of just 33.

Lynch worked closely with the adaptation of this BBC film until she died and suggested that Sheridan Smith portray her.

Sheridan gives a moving portrayal of a newlywed fighting the disease with honesty, bravery and some humour. Her blog gave aid and comfort to many others.

I think some of the worse aspects of the side effects of chemotherapy were sanitised for the screen. The reality is a lot worse and I think the financial pressures they would had faced although touched on probably was more of a worry to them in reality.

I would not say the film is affirming, you could kind of guess from some scenes regarding her recovery that this was going to have a grim ending but its the journey that counts.

I think its a certainty that Sheridan Smith will be up for more awards.

Two years into her happy marriage with Pete, Lisa Lynch learns she has an aggressive form of breast cancer, to deal with it, Lisa writes an online blog, that gathers a level of popularity

Some dramas are good, some are on in the background, few dramas take you out of yourself, this one did that, I forgot about work, family stuff, bills etc, 90 minutes of quality, absorbing drama.

It's funny, it's moving, it's sad, it's everything you could possibly expect, and more than you would hope for.

It gives you an insight into the devastation cancer can cause, not only just for the sufferer, but those around.

A few tears along the way, that moment where Lisa can't get out of the bath, so upsetting.

Sheridan Smith was robbed at The BAFTA awards that year, let's be in no doubt, this was an award winning performance from the incredibly talented woman. Paul Nicholls and the supporting cast deliver.

10/10.