Linda was born in London. She is the daughter of a comedy magician, agent and comedy band leader. After leaving school at an early age, and a brief spell in club comedy Linda started her acting career in repertory theatre. She appeared in everything from Shakespeare to farce, in various theatre up and down the country. This was followed by the leading part in Tom Stoppard's Dirty Linen in the West End, and then a spell with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her television and film work is extensive, she was regular in the hit HiDeHi comedy series, but has worked in many top television dramas. She is also the author of a series of successful crime novels.