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Ex-CBBC presenter Kirsten O’Brien has paid tribute to her former colleague Mark Speight on the sixteenth anniversary of his death.
The hosts labored collectively on the widespread kids’s artwork programme SMart and had been a lot beloved by viewers for his or her on-screen friendship.
The presenter died by suicide aged 42 in April 2008, weeks after his fiancée Natasha Collins was discovered lifeless of their house. He had initially been arrested on suspicion of homicide, however an inquest discovered that Collins had died of misadventure.
O’Brien, now 52, shared a touching put up on the anniversary of his death on Sunday (7 April), saying: “16 years. What a gloriously funny man he was, and so loved.”
SMart launched in 1994, with Speight efficiently auditioning to be certainly one of its first presenters, whereas O’Brien joined later on. It resulted in 2009, shortly after Speight’s death.
Tributes poured in from followers, with the X/Twitter put up accumulating over a million views.
Many credited the pair for being a formative a part of their childhood, with one fan writing: “Can’t believe it’s been 16 years. You two were part of my childhood with SMart. Mark was such a character and he was loved by us kids (now adults) that grew up watching you both.”
Others shared their reminiscences of the beloved presenter, with one artist and engineer sharing: “They say don’t meet your heroes but I went to an event around 20 years ago as a child where he was running an art workshop and teaching us how to use perspective.
“I met him at the end and he was so kind and excited to see my drawing and signed it for me. Such a fond memory.”
Another added: “You two were my childhood. I remember meeting Mark at Butlins and I was so star struck, the pair of you fed my creative side, and I am forever grateful.”
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Speight introduced the sequence for 14 years and met Collins on the set of See It Saw It. He was reported lacking in April 2008, earlier than his physique was found close to Paddington Station.
“I absolutely loved this guy as a kid, I always tuned in to watch SMart after school. Kids today will never know how special he was, our screens have not been the same since his passing. Mark will always be a legend,” mentioned one other former viewer.
If you might be experiencing emotions of misery, or are struggling to cope, you may converse to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), e mail jo@samaritans.org, or go to the Samaritans web site to discover particulars of your nearest department.
If you might be based mostly within the USA, and also you or somebody wants psychological well being help proper now, name the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential disaster hotline that’s accessible to everybody 24 hours a day, seven days every week.
If you might be out of the country, you may go to www.befrienders.org to discover a helpline close to you.
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