Welsh BBC presenter dies in crash as loving tributes paid

North Wales Live

5 days ago

A BBC presenter has tragically died in a crash while on holiday. Mum-of-two Lynda Shahwan, 53, died in a crash while on a family holiday in Canada.
BBC Wales described the Radio Wales producer and presenter as a "very special person". Her colleagues at Radio Wales described the loss as "sudden" and something they "just cannot process".
Mrs Shahwan, who lived in Heath, Cardiff, is remembered as the creative force behind one of Wales' most popular podcasts, "Terry Walton's Plotcast". She co-presented the podcast that explores and documents the joys of allotment life on a Rhondda hillside. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Mrs Shahwan worked for Radio Wales for more than 25 years, and her team of friends and colleagues say they are devastated by this loss. Mr Walton told BBC Wales: "My last two years of working with Lynda on the Plotcast were the most fulfilling and cherished broadcasting I have done.
"Our chemistry and her creative talent made every episode a gem of gardening knowledge. Such fun whilst still being very informative," reports WalesOnline.
He added: "Her professionalism and easy going manner made every recording a pleasure and brought the best out of us both. We became true friends and after recording we would both relax and discuss many aspects of life."
Head of Radio Wales Carolyn Hitt described Mrs Shahwan as "a very special person." She said: "Since she began her career with Radio Wales in 1999 she made a brilliant impact on the station, on and off air, working across almost all of our output.
"For several years, Lynda was Roy Noble's fellow presenter on his morning show, where he affectionately christened her 'The Lily from Caerphilly'. More recently, Lynda was back in front of the mic once more, this time with Terry Walton, co-presenting and producing her fantastic passion project the Plotcast – just one of the many examples of her creativity and innovation."
Ms Hitt added: "We are all devastated at Radio Wales at the sudden loss of our much-loved colleague and friend and our hearts go out to Lynda's husband Sharif - who is also a much-loved colleague - their two sons and all their family and friends."
Roy Noble added: "Our feelings of condolence go to Lynda's family, Sharif and the boys. It was a sudden, sudden loss to them and something we in Radio Wales cannot process.
"Her legacy will be always, always remembered."