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.

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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."

And BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added on a post on X: "Devastated by this news. Lynda

Shahwan was one of the loveliest, most talented people I’ve ever worked with. A wonderful friend and colleague at BBC Wales, who has died while on holiday in Canada. Thoughts are with Sharif and all the family."