[1] Because Smith felt her face was too solemn to win many leading parts, she went into stage management, firstly at the Regent Theatre in Hayes, Middlesex, before working in repertory companies.

Smith's work for the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1950s would lead to her first contact with the BBC, with her being asked to transfer a theatrical production to television.

Traditionally, the end music to EastEnders begins with dramatic drums, but occasionally, especially when a character departs, a piano introduction is used.

Her final contribution to EastEnders, along with that of fellow creator Tony Holland, came in early 1989, amid a dispute with BBC bosses as to whether the character of Den Watts (played by Leslie Grantham) could ever return to the show after being shot and supposedly killed.

The BBC had hoped that, after EastEnders, Smith and Holland could make drama gold again; however, the series was cancelled by the new controller of BBC1, Alan Yentob.

Smith was blamed for the programme's shortcomings and fired, which left her bitter towards the BBC, who she believed had not given Eldorado a chance to establish itself.

Following the demise of Eldorado, Smith effectively retired from television work, but remained active on the lecture circuit, giving talks on TV drama production.

[1] Contrary to popular belief, Smith didn't own the poodle dog who appeared in EastEnders as Roly, the BBC did, though he did board with her.