Sheridan Smith's ITV drama Cleaning Up based on shocking real life story of gambling addict mum who racked up £70k debts

The new series that started on January 9 shows mum Sam, played by 37-year-old Smith, working as an office cleaner while trying to pay off her debts due to a gambling addiction.

Kelly Field’s gambling problems started when she visited an online casino when she was off work due to stress in 2010.

Field, 36, used her experience to help producers and writers develop Smith’s character.

The mum-of-one revealed how at her lowest point she felt suicidal because the shame overwhelmed her.

The waitress from St Helens, Merseyside, told The Mirror: “I almost lost my life to my gambling addiction. At its height, it left me suicidal.

“I was so addicted to playing on line fruit machines and binge I wouldn’t eat, I wouldn’t drink. I would even take my laptop to the toilet with me so I could keep on spinning.

“I hit rock bottom after blowing a £1,600 overdraft in under an hour.”

Viewers see how Sam stumbles on information that brokers in the Canary Wharf office where she cleans are engaged in insider trading.

She decides to get in on it to pay off her debts.

By teaming up with some of the colleagues, Sam obtains the information through the brokers’ unlocked computers and paperwork left on their desks.

This is where the ITV series differs from Field’s experience as she only fell deeper in to debt by using credit cards.

Field is now five years into recovery and admitted that at the height of her addiction she was losing “more than £500” a day and would hide it from her family and friends.

In 2014, she got the help she needed and is now paying back her debts at a rate of £300 a month.

Field described Smith as an “icon” and said she is pleased the ITV drama is highlighting female gambling.

Smith had previously it was fun to play Field’s character.

She told Digital Spy: “If we've done our job right, the audience will be torn between what they think of her. They will be frustrated that she's doing the wrong things, and it is a big moral dilemma. But it was fun to play that.”

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Mind’s website.

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