Linda Smith
Writing about web page http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4759968.stm
I don't normally find myself that bothered when famous people die. I don't know them and they rarely mean a massive amount to me. But sometimes the person who has died is so unexpected or so young that it makes me stop for a moment.
It's worse when they're someone I've actually always admired and looked up to, both in their professional capacity and in their other pursuits. One of those people was Linda Smith who has died at the horribly young age of 48.
In 2002 she was voted the Wittiest Person In Britain by Radio 4. It was a well deserved title. Though not massively well known she was brilliant, absurdly clever and had an almost perfect comic delivery style. If I knew she was going to be on a radio show, or even a TV show though that was rarer, then I'd be there to listen. I liked her because she was never bitchy although she could be acerbic when she wanted, never moaned in her comedy, it was always pointing out the absurd but retrospectively obvious.
She also was the sort of celeb we could do with more of. Her age was pretty much a secret until the obituaries, unusual as these days we even know how much celebs have had to eat for lunch, the saturation of culture makes the more private ones more admirable and interesting. She was president of the Humanist Society, and often made statements on the subject.
She had principles. She had wit and intelligence. She was a real person. That's why I'm sad to hear she's gone. Linda Smith, you are a legend and I am happy to tag this entry as "Hero Worship". Today is a sad day for what we have lost but let's remember her for her devastating wit and one liners. If I ever come out with anything half as clever I'll be happy.
Linda Smith quotes.
Laughter is the best medicine, but that's not true if you've got facial injuries. Quite a nasty setback.
Anne Widdecombe's confused us all by going blonde. I was watching Question Time thinking, blimey, Sue Barker's slapped on a bit of weight
Ever since cloaks and top hats moved out of fashion, you hardly ever see young women tied to railway lines.
28 Feb 2006 23:03
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Tags: Hero Worship
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12 comments by 2 or more people
[Skip to the latest comment]That is so sad – I had no idea she was ill. She was fantastic whenever I saw her, a role model for female comedians.
28 Feb 2006, 23:40
I was sad when I heard this too; Linda Smith was brilliant. Radio 4 will never be the same.
28 Feb 2006, 23:59
Nooo… :( That's a real bastard shame. I liked the lady very much.
And her comedy was very very good.
48 is a ridiculously young age.
Am sad.
01 Mar 2006, 00:21
fuckin hell. this is real news to me. this is a real surprise. to be honest i didn't think she was amazingly funny, but definately very funny for a woman. radio 4 institution defo. saying 48 is ridiculously young is out of order, though, gavin. sort it.
01 Mar 2006, 01:21
*is speechless
01 Mar 2006, 09:23
Christopher Rossdale
Owch, not the way to start a day…...am genuinely upset, she was totally unique
01 Mar 2006, 10:55
Vincent: What? 48 is a ridiculosly young age to die, in this day and age. What's the issue?
01 Mar 2006, 11:47
i think the "ridiculous" word is a bit over-the-top, and a bit insulting when talking about death. there's other things, but this is warwick blogs, you ken?
02 Mar 2006, 01:03
Well I don't. And considering the average life expectancy is 40 years above that… It's young. 10 years younger than my father, for example – who isn't old.
Define "insulting" ? Seeing as I'm not very happy this person has passed away, rather than simply passive, I don't really see what you're trying to get at.
Also I don't "ken" your last sentace. "other things" ?
02 Mar 2006, 01:25
Vincent, what on earth are you talking about?
02 Mar 2006, 13:31
I was never her greatest fan but it's a shame that she's died so young…. I had a fair few chuckles at her jibes on HIGNFY.
RIP
04 Mar 2006, 22:34
Very clever woman, will be sorely missed.
05 Mar 2006, 18:37
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