Linda Smith
For those who are fans of all that's good about Radio 4 comedy, but haven't caught the news yet, this is very sad.
While perhaps most known for her regular appearances on The News Quiz, it was as a panelist on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue that I most became familiar with Linda (indeed, she was, like Andy Hamilton, someone I didn't really know of before having heard them on that show). She was, along with Sandi Toksvig, one of the only women to make regular appearances on the show and genuinely hold her own among the blokes. Aside from her down-to-earth wit (like a Southern version of Victoria Wood, almost), her performances in the singing rounds ("One Song To The Tune Of Another" and "Pick Up Song") were always a joy to behold.
She also deserves great respect for never making an issue of her cancer, instead keeping it quiet - and continuing to perform - for the three and a half years she suffered from it. Britain has lost a great unsung comedy star far too young, and she will be sorely missed.
About this entry
- By Seb Patrick
- Posted on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 12:47 pm
- Categorised in Radio
- Tagged with rip, linda smith
- 6 comments
Hear hear - I was shocked to see it on BBC News Online yesterday.
She will definately be missed.
By Kirk
March 01, 2006 @ 1:19 pm
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Sad indeed. I heard it on the radio yesterday, and recognised the name but couldn't picture her face. Even sadder now I realise who it is.
Of course, it's always sad when someone so young dies.
By si
March 01, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
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You can leave tributes at the BBC comedy site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/news/2006/03/01/29985.shtml
By si
March 01, 2006 @ 5:17 pm
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48's no age to go. Least of all someone so bloody funny and talented.
By Jenn GNA
March 01, 2006 @ 7:39 pm
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It's weird - I never heard her much on radio panel shows (the odd snippet, that's all) - but whenever she was on TV, her performances just irritated me. She appeared to me to be a completely humourless woman, trying to be clever and funny, and failing miserably.
*However*, so many people have said on other forums I go to how wonderful she was, that I wonder whether I completely misjudged her. I'll hunt down some of her ISIHAC stuff and have a listen.
By John Hoare
March 02, 2006 @ 1:19 am
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Just listened to The News Quiz tribute. I'm a big fan of, well, most R4 comedy, tbh. I'd forgotten about the episode with Sandi Toksvig and Linda -- truly hilarious.
By Hertzsprung
March 04, 2006 @ 2:48 pm
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