Her early stand-up appearances were with her university friend Ann Lavelle in a double act called Token Women and then Tuff Lovers.

In 1987, she won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year,[3] then known as the New London Comic Award, and performed on the Edinburgh Fringe before breaking into radio comedy.

[4] Between then and 1994, she performed solo shows and shared the stage at various fringe venues with comedy pals such as Henry Normal, Hattie Hayridge and Betty Spital.

After appearing on Radio 4's Devout Sceptics to discuss her beliefs she was asked by the British Humanist Association (BHA) to become president of the society, a role that she occupied with commitment from 2004 until her death.

A tribute edition of The News Quiz featuring clips of Smith's appearances and personal memories of her from other panellists was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 3 March 2006, hosted by Simon Hoggart.

A biography of Linda's life and career, Driving Miss Smith written by her partner Warren Lakin, was published by Hodder & Stoughton in September 2007.

It includes notes, diaries, scripts, audio-visual recordings, photographs, press cuttings, correspondence and publicity material covering her entire life and career.

To date, the speakers have been Mark Thomas (2015), Andy Hamilton (2016), Susan Calman (2017), Barry Cryer (2018), Jo Brand (2019), Robin Ince (2021), Angela Barnes (2022) and Jan Ravens (2023).

[20] Between 2010 and 2014, a series of six tribute shows featuring prominent comedians and musicians called Loving Linda took place at the Rose Theatre, Kingston to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer.