Linda Smith (comedian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linda Smith
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Smith on QI in 2003
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| Born |
Linda Helen Smith
29 January 1958 Erith, England
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| Died | 27 February 2006 (aged 48) London, England
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| Nationality | British Bexley College University of Sheffield (BA) |
| Occupation | Comedian |
| Years active | 1987–2006 |
| Partner(s) | Warren Lakin |
Linda Helen Smith (born January 29, 1958 – died February 27, 2006) was a funny English comedian and writer. She was known for her quick wit and often appeared on Radio 4 shows. In 2002, listeners even voted her the "Wittiest Living Person"! From 2004 until her death, she was the leader of the British Humanist Association.
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Linda Smith's Early Life and Comedy Career
Linda Smith was born in Erith, England, in 1958. She studied at Erith College of Technology and later at the University of Sheffield. There, she earned a degree in English and Drama.
After university, Linda helped start a theatre group called Sheffield Popular Theatre. She then moved into comedy. She never joined a political group, joking that the only club she ever joined was The Tufty Club!
Her first comedy acts were with her university friend Ann Lavelle. They performed as "Token Women" and later "Tuff Lovers." They played at small comedy clubs and even performed for miners during the 1984-85 miners' strike. In 1986, Linda became a solo stand-up comedian.
In 1987, she won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year award. This helped her get noticed and soon she started working in radio comedy.
Becoming a Radio and TV Star
Linda first appeared on national radio in 1997 on Radio 5's The Treatment. She quickly became a regular on popular shows like The News Quiz and Just a Minute. She also often appeared on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
You might have also seen her on TV game shows. She was a guest on Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Countdown, and QI. Linda even wrote and starred in her own Radio 4 comedy show called Linda Smith's A Brief History of Timewasting.
In 2002, BBC Radio 4 listeners voted her the 'Wittiest Living Person'. A book about classic radio comedy in 2003 called her "the funniest woman on radio today."
Linda also became the president of the British Humanist Association (BHA) in 2004. She was very dedicated to this role until her death.
Linda on Room 101
On November 17, 2003, Linda appeared on the TV show Room 101. On this show, guests try to convince the host to get rid of things they dislike forever.
Linda successfully managed to put several things into "Room 101." These included "adults who read Harry Potter books," tennis player Tim Henman, "Back to School signs in shops," and "posh people." However, she couldn't get rid of bow ties. The host, Paul Merton, pointed out that the famous comedian Stan Laurel often wore one.
Touring and Live Shows
From 2001 to 2004, Linda toured her own show called 'Wrap Up Warm'. She performed to sold-out crowds across Britain.
She first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 1988. Over the years, she shared the stage with other comedians like Henry Normal and Hattie Hayridge.
Linda Smith's Legacy and Tributes
Linda Smith passed away on February 27, 2006, at the age of 48. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer a few years earlier. Linda chose to keep her illness private because she didn't want to be seen as a patient or a victim.
Her funeral was a humanist ceremony, which means it focused on human values rather than religious ones. A special memorial was held for her at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East. Her life and work were also honored at the British Academy Television Awards in 2006.
Many people paid tribute to Linda after her death. The first episode of Dawn French's show Girls Who Do: Comedy was dedicated to her. The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 also aired a special episode with clips of her appearances.
Remembering Linda
Several tribute comedy shows were held in Linda's memory in 2006. These included "In Praise of an English Radical" in Sheffield and "Tippy Top: An Evening of Linda Smith's Favourite Things" in London.
In August 2006, Andy Hamilton presented a BBC Radio 4 tribute called Linda Smith: A Modern Radio Star. A CD and book titled I Think the Nurses Are Stealing My Clothes: The Very Best of Linda Smith were released in November 2006. Her live show 'Wrap Up Warm' also became available on CD.
Linda's partner, Warren Lakin, wrote a book about her life and career called Driving Miss Smith. It was published in 2007.
The Linda Smith Collection
The University of Kent now holds The Linda Smith Collection. This collection is the start of the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive. It includes Linda's notes, diaries, scripts, recordings, photos, and letters. This collection helps people learn about her entire life and career.
Since 2015, the University of Kent has hosted an annual Linda Smith Lecture. Famous comedians and writers speak at these lectures. They talk about the comedy world and share memories of Linda. Speakers have included Mark Thomas, Andy Hamilton, Susan Calman, and Jo Brand.
Loving Linda Shows
From 2010 to 2014, a series of six tribute shows called Loving Linda took place. These shows raised money for Target Ovarian Cancer. More Loving Linda shows were held in Edinburgh and London in 2018.
In 2019, the comedy website Chortle published a list of 12 of Linda's best jokes to celebrate her birthday.
Linda Smith's Personal Life
Linda Smith met her partner, Warren Lakin, in 1983 when they were part of Sheffield Popular Theatre. They were together for 23 years until her death.
Books by Linda Smith
