Latest news with #BBCRadioWales
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lynda Shahwan dead: BBC presenter dies in car crash on family holiday
BBC Radio Wales producer and presenter Lynda Shahwan has died at the age of 53, it has been announced. Lynda, who was the creator behind on of Wales' most popular podcasts, has died following a car accident while on holiday with her family in Canada. The BBC presenter was behind Terry Walton's Plotcast, which discussed the experience of allotment life, and she co-hosted the podcast alongside Terry. She worked for BBC Radio Wales for more than 25 years and was known to listeners as 'The Lily from Caerphilly'. Devastated friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Lynda in the wake of the sad news. As the sad news came in, gardening expert and podcast host Terry paid tribute to Lynda, who lived in Heath, Cardiff, as per the BBC."We pass our sympathies on to Lynda's husband Sharif, their two sons and all of the family on the tragic and sudden taking of Lynda from us far too soon," he said. "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. "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." While Head of Radio Wales Carolyn Hitt hailed Lynda as a "very special person" in a tribute. 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. "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." While BBC Radio Wales host 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."
Leader Live
10 hours ago
- Health
- Leader Live
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood introduces Sign Language Bill
As I said 'too often, Deaf people are unable to access vital public services because they cannot communicate in their first language. This denies them their rights, and places them at a significant disadvantage - whether in healthcare, education, employment, transport, or otherwise. The Bill aims to address this by introducing a legal requirement to promote and facilitate the use of BSL in Wales'. If passed, this will be the most progressive BSL law in the UK. BBC Radio Wales also interviewed me about my Bill. Questioning the First Minister, I spoke of the substantial sum of Shared Prosperity Funding allocated to communities throughout North Wales by the previous UK Government, and said it is vital that changes to the way this funding is allocated by the current Labour UK Government do not result in North Wales losing out. Questioning the Health Secretary about the temporary closure of St David's Hospice's in-patient beds in Holyhead, I highlighted the financial difficulties Hospices throughout Wales are facing, and their need for support to deliver more for individuals, families and the NHS. Speaking in the Debate on 'the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee Report' as Chair of the Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, I said that the Committee have agreed to lead the scrutiny of gaps identified by the soon to be disbanded Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee in relation to the UK Inquiry Module 1 'to ensure that some scrutiny of these important matters is done within this Senedd, rather than none'. Meetings included Cross-Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement, at which I was re-elected as its Chair; Cross-Party Groups on Diabetes and on Dementia; Autism support Charity 'Your Space Marches' AGM; Bipolar UK; counsellor training provider Chrysalis, to discuss how qualified counsellors can support local mental health objectives; and 'STAND North Wales' (Stronger Together for Additional Needs and Disabilities), regarding their Petition to the Welsh Parliament Petitions Committee, 'Make Blue badge Applications Lifelong for individuals who have a lifelong diagnosis'. Engagements included UK Covid Inquiry Special Briefing by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru; Jonathan's House (a sanctuary for men after experiencing abuse); and the Senedd's Y Farchnad, where I visited Welsh NHS Confederation, Competition and Markets Authority, Two Rhythms, Royal Mail, Welsh Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs, Wales & West Utilities, Severe ME Difrifol Cymru, and BookTrust Cymru. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Will Smith discovers Welsh roots
Will Smith is considering changing his name after discovering his secret link to Wales. The 56-year-old rapper/actor made the discovering during an interview on BBC Radio Wales in which the host Lucy Owen explained Smith's hometown of Wynnefield, Pennsylvania is named after Welsh doctor Thomas Wynne. The revelation prompted the Independence Day star to exclaim: "So I'm Welsh! I'm Welsh, basically. That's what we're saying." Lucy added: "Yes, Will! This is what I'm trying to say. You are Welsh, and we are claiming you." The movie star then joked he should change his name, saying: "That might be my new name: Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith." The radio presenter went on to point out that Will's mother lives in a town that also has a connection to the country - revealing the area of Bryn Mawr is named after the Welsh words for "big hill." She explained: "It's a Welsh place name. It means Big Hill. So 'Mawr' is 'big,' and 'Bryn' means 'hill.' You live in Big Hill". Will was thrilled with the news, declaring "Big Hill! Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy! Big hill. Big Will. Big still." The Men In Black star will be heading to Wales in the next few weeks as part of his UK tour. He will perform at Cardiff Castle on August 25. During the interview Lucy pointed out that veteran crooner Sir Tom Jones is playing the same venue just days before Will and she told the superstar: 'He's effectively your warm-up act". Will - who previously worked with Tom when he made an appearance on his TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - said: "Wow. He's going to be there. There's a part in my show where we celebrate his connection to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ... "[Working with Tom on the show] was magnificent. Yeah. You know when somebody with that kind of iconic status walks into the room, he walked onto the set and you get that [gasp]. "You know that thing when the audience recognises what's happening. It was one of the classic moments on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Will's UK tour kicks off in Scarborough on August 24 and concludes in Wolverhampton on August 30.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Will Smith discovers surprising roots to town in Wales
Watch as Will Smith is ecstatic after he found out his connections to Wales, laughing as he calls himself 'Welsh Smith'. Appearing on BBC Radio Wales on Saturday (11 July), the actor and singer was left gobsmacked after host Lucy Owen revealed that Smith's hometown of Wynnefield, Pennsylvania is named after a Welsh Physician, Dr Thomas Wynne. 'So I'm Welsh! I'm Welsh, basically. That's what we're saying,' Smith exclaimed. "Yes, Will! This is what I'm trying to say. You are Welsh, and we are claiming you,' Owen responded. Smith also joked that he would change his name in light of the discovery. 'That might be my new name,' Smith laughed. 'Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Will Smith considers changing his first name to Welsh after discovering surprise connection to country
Will Smith has teased the possibility of changing his first name to Welsh after learning he has multiple connections to the nation and its culture. The actor, 56, joined host Lucy Owens on BBC Radio Wales to discuss a series of links to the country which neighbors England. She explained to the star that where he grew up in Wynnefield, Philadelphia, is actually named after Welsh physician Dr Thomas Wynne. She also revealed that his mother's hometown of Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia, was named by 17th-century Welsh Quakers. 'So I'm Welsh?' Smith asked excitedly, 'I'm Welsh, basically.' Owens joked in response: 'Yes, Will! You are Welsh and we are claiming you.' The actor quickly decided he was a fan of his new heritage and pondered a name change. 'That might be my new name,' Smith laughed. 'Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith.' Owens then added that Bryn Mawr, where Smith's mother still lives, translates to 'big hill' in Welsh. This again excited her guest: 'Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy.' The host then joked that the Men In Black actor could turn the newfound information into a rap and Smith gave it an impromptu try, rapping, 'Big hill, big Will — big still!' Will is currently touring his new album Based On A True Story, his first since 2005's Lost And Found. The singer has a performance set for Cardiff Castle on August 25, only days after Welsh performer Sir Tom Jones. Will and Tom shared the screen on the '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 'It was magnificent. When somebody with that kind of iconic status just walks into the room - he walked onto the set and you just get that [gasp], that thing when the audience recognizes what's happening,' Will recalled. 'It was one of the classic moments on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' The singer teased a tribute to Sir Tom in his Cardiff show: 'There's a part in my show where we celebrate his connection to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'
