Hugh Sheridan beams as he dances at pal Camilla Franks’ extravagant boat party in Sydney.

Hugh Sheridan appeared in very high spirits on Thursday, as he partied with his close friend Camilla Franks on her incredible Studio 54 themed boat party.

The Australian actor, 35, has faced a difficult time after he was hospitalised following backlash over casting in a Sydney production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, where he was set to play a trans character.

But it appears Hugh’s friends are rallying around to support him through his challenging period – as he, Camilla and a stream of pals couldn’t stop smiling and dancing as they waited to get on-board a Sydney Harbour cruise in Wolloomoolloo.

The party began at Manta seafood restaurant, where Hugh and his friends were seen sporting what appeared to be kaftans and ensembles from Camilla’s range – which retail at around $600 each.

A beaming Hugh then whipped off his trainers to dance barefoot with his close friend Camilla, 42, on Wolloomoolloo Wharf outside, with the duo hysterically giggling as they twirled each other around on the pier.

Hugh – who donned sunglasses and a necklace for the occasion – appeared to have all the moves as he raised his arms in the air to whisk his pal in for a close spin, before the duo broke out into fits of laughter.

The Voice Australia star Prinnie Stevens was quick to join in on the action, joining hands with Camilla as the trio appeared to sing their hearts out on the pier.

Prinnie wore a pair of $249 leggings and a matching $399 top from Camilla’s Studio 54 collection by her brand, Camilla. 

As they prepared to board, they were then joined by Married At First Sight stars Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli, who didn’t appear to be dressed up for the occasion.

Fashion icon Martha instead wore a lavender jumper and a baby blue skirt, which she teamed with a pair of stilettos.

Hostess with the mostess Camilla, meanwhile, looked every bit a glamorous party icon in her patterned gold ensemble, wearing bright purple eyeshadow and statement accessories to really make her outfit pop.

It’s one of the first times that Hugh has been seen enjoying himself with friends since the backlash occurred last month.

In November, Hugh was admitted to hospital and was understood to have been undergoing mental health treatment following the controversy surrounding the Hedwig casting.

The musical was pulled from the 2021 Sydney Festival after an LGBTQIA+ group, Queer Artist Alliance Australia, wrote an open letter slamming producers for casting Hugh to play a transgender character.

‘We would like to express our profound sadness and disappointment that trans performers are still fighting for equal opportunities and representation,’ the open letter read.

‘The choice to cast a cisgender male as a transgender character is offensive and damaging to the trans community, and continues to cause genuine stress and frustration amongst trans- and gender- nonconforming performers all across Australia.’

The alliance agreed that Hugh was a talented and deserving actor, but said it was not appropriate for him to ‘be the gatekeeper of a trans story’.

‘While we understand the box office appeal in having a famous and commercially successful actor such as Hugh Sheridan headlining the show, our problem is that marginalised groups have been excluded from participating in a significant opportunity to tell our story because we are not as “well-known” or may not “sell enough tickets,”‘ the alliance said.

Hugh was left ‘heartbroken’ after he was inundated with messages from trolls on social media over his casting as Hedwig, a close friend of the actor told Daily Mail Australia.

The source revealed that Hugh now hopes to raise awareness of the effects of online bullying, and encourages others to seek mental health treatment when they need it.

The friend said: ‘All this did was break his heart. There comes a point where enough is enough and you need to ask for help. There is only so much you can take before you ask for help, so he asked for help.’

Camilla had stuck up for her friend shortly after the incident, writing alongside a picture of the pair: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed that other humans have taken time out of their lives to shamefully criticise and attack a big, beautiful juicy heart. It is cruel and unfair.’

The fashion guru noted that Hugh has long been a supporter of diversity in the arts, adding that he would have been ‘perfect’ for the role of Hedwig.

‘For those who want to challenge this, it’s worth remembering how many great actors played gay, straight, lesbian and every kettle of fish and were celebrated for honouring the lives of those they portrayed with grace and dignity,’ she said.

She went on to say that minorities who have ‘suffered too long’ are now being heard, and asked that ‘in raising these voices, please show others the same consideration that you are demanding for yourselves’.