PODCAST: On the Marie Curie Couch with Linda Lusardi

This month, Jason is joined by Linda Lusardi. Linda is an actress and TV presenter who shot to fame in the 1980s as one of the UK's best loved models. Her 40-year career now spans the stage and screen. Linda has had roles in Emmerdale, The Bill and Brookside, and is a regular panellist on ITV's Loose Women. She regularly appears in panto alongside her daughter, Lucy Kane. In this episode, Linda discusses her different feelings of grief following the death of her mum in September 2023 and of her friend, Angie, who died in the early 1990s.

I talk about my dad that died six years ago. It's upsetting, but it doesn't make me burst into tears anymore. Your body gets used to it and puts that pain somewhere that doesn't come and slap you in the face. I can't talk about [Mum] yet without getting upset. I'm still grieving my mum quite badly.

As a young person, you don't even think about death. I lost both my grandparents when I was in my 20s. Although I was obviously very upset, it didn't hit you like when your parents go. I remember speaking to Angie about it. She said, 'I don't think I've got long.' I said, 'Don't be ridiculous, you're going to get through this.' I honestly believed the words I was saying. She was the first peer that I'd lost, someone I could identify with. I think about her often because we'd have been the same ages now.

Tap the link near the top of this page to listen to Jason's chat with Linda. Alternatively, listen to or download it via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you prefer, you can read a full transcript of the episode.

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