Tina Wiseman
Although it pains me to say it, I think Richard has already put this across in a more eloquent way than I will on his blog ... Tina Wiseman, a friendly, enthusiastic, funny, positive, energetic but above all sensible fan of ours has suddenly died, aged 37. We met her on a number of occasions, as she was an avid comedy gig-goer and podcast-listener, as well as a regular contributor to Richard's Guestbook and my blog comments section, and sender of photographs. Richard knows better than me that comedy fans can cross the line, either by email, or in person, in a possibly subsconsciously passive-aggressive way. I've had to learn to deal with this this since hitching my ride to Richard's comedy talent two years ago. It comes with the territory.But Tina was different. We have found out more about her since the terrible and unexpected news of her death yesterday, just after we had recorded Podcast 73, but we did know that she was a skydiver and that she knew a lot about recording and acoustics (she was an acoustician, actually). We met her at one of Richard's Headmaster's Son gigs at the Leicester Square Theatre in March, which is where the above photo was taken. We will dedicate next Thursday's podcast, No.74, to Tina, and use this picture.
We joked that Tina was a stalker because we knew she wasn't. Richard even mentioned her onstage in the Brighton podcast, where, reliably, she was in the audience. What makes the news of her death even worse for us is that she went to see Richard on Monday night, wearing a Virgilio Anderson t-shirt, and he published a photograph of her after the gig on his blog. (She died the next morning, it seems, or overnight - the details are sketchy.) And the last Tweet she posted on Twitter was to me. As TinaHighflier, she wrote, in reference to a comment I had made about my pencil being stolen at the British Library in King's Cross: @CollingsA You should'a bin over the road at @Herring1967 brill show instead of looking for your pencil. However, at least you found it :-)
Whether we deserved her loyalty and admiration or not, we appreciated it. And it seems all wrong and depressing that she won't hear Podcast 73, or any thereafter. So raise a glass to Tina, even if you didn't know her. People shouldn't die at 37, especially not ones who enjoy laughing so much, and defy death by jumping out of planes. God bless.
posted by Andrew Collins @ 11:02 AM
47 Comments
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47 Comments:
Hi Andrew, both you and Richard have paid tribute to Tina in such a warm hearted way. Tina was, and always will be my best friend. Warm hearted, loving and always relied upon for a much needed reality check. She packed as much as she could into a short life.
Thank you
So terribly sad, but so lovely that you are paying homage to someone who sounds like they were such a good soul.
Anna
Tina adored you both, and always wanted to make sure she stayed on the right side of stalker - which it sounds like she did! She will be terribly missed by all who knew her, and probably some who didn't.
I know for a fact that she will be jumping up and down in sheer excitement if she's up there somewhere reading your blogs....
Helen
As one the 20,000+ who listen and love your podcasts I want to add my best wishes to Tina's family and friends.
Both yourself and Richard have written brilliant tributes.
I'll raise a glass to her too.
Steve H
Very sad news that you and Richard have relayed to us today, but you've both paid lovely tribute to someone who clearly was one of those people who make such a special impact on other people's lives...
- Jon
Crikey. That's terrible news. Does anyone know what happened to this poor lady?
Rest in peace Tina.
We don't know for sure, as neither Richard nor I wishes to intrude upon the private grief of Tina's friends and family, but it was sudden, and related to a condition. I'm glad her friends seem to approve of what we have both written in this very public arena, and it's lovely to see how many people who didn't know her, but felt they knew her through our various forums, have posted such nice messages. She deserves her taste of fame at this unhappy time, as it cannot turn sour.
Though I'd never met Tina, I'd read her comments & seen her happy photos. I've made many friends through attending comedy shows over the years & posting online - it's like a little community - so it was a shock to read this sad news from Richard yesterday.
You've both written touching tributes. Condolences to Tina's friends & family - I hope they have many happy memories of this charming young woman.
It's weird when someone you never met, but kind of "knew" through tweets & blog/youtube comments dies.
That's a really loveley photo of the three of you, and I hope her none-net-using friends & family get to see it.
Glass duly raised. What a terrible shame. RIP Tina.
Very sad, may she rest in peace.
Was she ill? That's really sad - and kind of eerie too, that everyone does recognise a sort of connection with someone who very few of us have ever met in real life. That's a nice photo you've used, too. Like a nativity play hit by the credit crunch, only one out of the three was a legitimate Wiseman! ;)
Lovely tribute Andrew, condolences to her family and friends and this difficult time. You and Richard have done her fandom justice.
Podcast listener and Twitterer here, just wanting to say she sounded like a lovely girl and I would have had a lot in common with her. My thoughts are with her loved ones.
Kelly
Though I never knew Tina I do share a love of comedy and am a great fan of both you and Richard.
I sit with tears in my eyes reading about such a tragic loss of a young life.
Condolences to all her family and friends.
Andrew - this is Karen, Tina's sister here. I can't thank you enough for your words of kindness and support. Words are hard to find just now - we are devastated, just devastated, that Tina is not here with us - and so very very sad. We are still waiting to find the exact cause of what happened, but take some comfort from the fact that she was tucked up in her bed, having had yet another fantastic night with you. I am a little unsure of her exact plans that evening, and would so like to know more about how it was spent, and to know that she was happy. I am finding it almost impossible to bear the thought of her being alone right now and so am desperately holding onto any thoughts of her being with people she loved, and smiling. I am a novice to the whole blog/twitter thing, but if there is a way of getting in contact more privately do let me know.
Again, I know how busy you must be, and can only thank you from the very very bottom of my heart for your words for Tina that are just perfect.
Karen
You have brought another tear to my eye, Karen (and I'm the library). If you want to email me privately, use the CONTACT ME link at the top of the page. Nice to have you comment on here though, so thank you for that. Others will really appreciate it.
very sad. She looks and sounds like such a lovely warm person. She seemed to spread happiness around her, makes me realise how negative I often am. I am inspired by Tina's positivity and joy of life, I will try to be a warmer person. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her. I'm not religious but somehow I feel her warm joyful spirit/soul/consiousness lives on through us all now...
sad news :( I remember that photo and the funny stalker comments you both made. she seemed lovely. my heart goes out to her family and friends. xxx
Just chipping in here to say that despite listening to Collins & Herring for months now and reading these two blogs, this is the first time I have been moved to write a comment.
Both Andrew & Richard have given such wonderful, kind and genuine tributes to Tina, I hope her family and friends get to read what the two of you have written and that at the very least it makes them smile just a little bit in what must be a horrible time for all of them.
I just wanted to say that I am also totally shocked by this really sad news. I too only knew her through this blog but I always looked forward to reading her comments. She really stood out for her fun and cheeky teasing of both Richard and Andrew and will now be sadly missed by many people.
Best Regards
Claire
Tina was one of my best friends (I'm another idiot that jumps out of planes), and what the two of you said about Tina was fantastic. Thanks so much, I will look out for both the podcasts mentioned, and will even try to come along sometime. Many thanks again.
Sad news. I only knew Tina as a name on this blog and from that photo. It's such a slim connection. This is not exactly a family, but it is a community. And someone who should be here no longer is. She will be missed.
Although I had only met Tina 2 or 3 times, she was always the life and soul of the party. Last October was the last time I had seen Tina, laughing and joking at a party, stood outside around a bonfire in the pouring rain! Tina made everyone feel like a friend, so warm and welcoming. As well as having the knack to make everyone smile. The news of her sudden, unexpected passing much before her time is extremely sad. My thoughts go out to her family and friends. Emma xxx
Nothing but Love for all involved.
Genuinely moved as I read comments and type this..
Time, hopefully will play a part in healing wounds.
Bless
I’m never sure what to say in these situations, but I’m saddened by this news.
Best wishes to friends and family of Tina.
That's really sad. R.I.P Tina.
It's interesting to think what kind of a tribute you could do. If I was to die (and you actually cared who I was), I'd want you to be as explicit as normal about it. The next podcast will be interesting and even though it is not at all my position to say so, I don't think you should change anything about it.
So very sad, I'm heading out now to the pub and the glass will most definitely be raised. RIP
Tina has touched many lives, so I am not surprised at how many people are expressing their sadness at this loss.
She was a very close friend and I wish I could find the words to express just how awesome she was and will remain.
I am so grateful for the times we spent together, from the planes we jumped out of, the hugs we shared, the self-taken pictures, random shouts of "dude, what does mine say!" (other Team Awesome members will understand :o) and her endless supply of kindness.
Tina Awesome, I miss the sound of your voice, and wish we'd had more time.....
A lovely tribute.
RIP Tina.
Donna
A kind and fitting tribute, Andrew.
A very nice tribute Andrew, I would just like to pass on my condolences to her family and friends.
Although, I didn't know Tina, it's hard not to feel a bond with someone you feel you have shared laughter and enjoyment over the same things. It sounds like her last night was spent laughing and doing something she enjoyed. I would like to add my thoughts and condolences to Tina's loved ones.
Would like to echo other comments on here and offer my condolences to Tina's family and friends.
I think Tina had commented on a post I put on here a while back and remember thinking she seemed to be like-minded person and like someone has already said, someone I could probably have found a lot in common with. Have only been to one of Richard's gigs so far so hadn't met her I'm sad to say but can see that she was very well-thought of. Like others have said, both Andrew's and Richard's tributes were spot on; respectful and, Richard's in particular, in the spirit that Tina would have appreciated.
I will raise a glass to her in Edinburgh.
RIP Tina.
Tina was one of my best friends within skydiving. We did 2 british women's records together and so many other fun times.
She was always so humble about her skills and so in awe of "famous" skydivers and was perpetually gobsmacked when they knew her name and spoke to her, so all of these messages would have her blushing incredibly and assuming that you were all talking about someone else - it couldn't be her! ;-)
She was the original Awesome Chick and will never be replaced or forgotten.
Fly free babe.
Fi xxx
Andrew,
Tina and I were your first secret finger dancing followers. I'm sad she is gone.
Kate
Would just like to add a comment in honour of Tina, a fellow blog reader and podcast listener who genuinely seemed lovely through her comments here, the tweets I saw, and those two pictures.
This is awful news.
My thoughts go to those who knew Tina, and all the other people in this wonderful podcast community. May we all look after one another.
Make Podcast 74 a good'un for Miss Wiseman. We'll all be thinking of her.
Very sad news indeed, I didn't know Tina but had read her comments, heard her mentioned in the podcast and seen her pictures, the impression I got was that she was a funny and positive person, her comments always charming but never too serious or scary, the connection might have been slight but I felt she was a kindred comedy loving spirit. Much heart felt sympathy to her family and friends at this difficult time.
Haven't posted here in ages - very sad news, having read her comments on here. My thoughts are with her family.
Chris Burgess
So sad.
R.I.P.
hotcider
Some very kind and touching comments here. Tina was obviously much-loved, and it seems right that Andrew & Richard celebrate her life.
Condolences to family and friends, hope you can take some comfort that she lived a full life and seized every moment.
Steve
Andrew,
Having been away from my computer for a week I only heard about Tina's sad death this early this morning as I listened to Podcast 74. You and Richard provided a touching tribute. I, like many others, only knew of Tina via blog contributions and mentions on the cast but it still moved me to hear such a heart felt tribute.
Kind regards,
Mark
So sorry to hear that your gone!!!
RIP
G.xxx
I have Known Tina since the junior school in Billericay. We were always in the same class.I remember her as being a realy friendly person who would always make time for people if they wanted someone to talk to.I was realy pleased to have got back in touch with her on friends reunited and facebook and i am realy shocked and saddened by her death my love and thoughts go to all her family and friends.xxxx
Tina's sister's partner Tracey Kench is running the London Marathon on April 25th in honour of Tina and to raise money for Epilepsy Bereaved - the charity that provided huge support for Tina's family. Please support Tracey by donating at www.justgiving.co.uk/running-for-tina
Tracey only started running on January 1st so this is a huge challenge for her. Please help in anyway you can.
Tina would have been 38 tomorrow 7th March. Remember her and smile, and help prevent this happening to another family by supporting the research into this tragic condition.
Thank you, Fi xx
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