Mike Smith was 'haunted' by Noel Edmonds TV show death

Mike Smith never recovered from the death of a member of the public in a stunt that went wrong on a TV show he was presenting with Noel Edmonds, a friend has revealed.

Former TV producer Mike Hollingsworth told the Daily Mail that the presenter and ex-Radio 1 DJ, who died last week, 'unfairly carried the can' for the death of Michael Lush, who died in a bungee jump accident on 'The Late, Late Breakfast Show' in 1986.

Mr Lush, who was 25, fell 120ft while rehearsing the jump, and the BBC was later prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for breaching safety rules.

The day after the accident, Smith cancelled his show on Radio 1, and described the aftermath as a 'terrible time'.

['Heartbreak' over death of DJ MIke Smith]

“He carried it with him. I always thought he unfairly carried the can for a large part of that. To be honest, it never appeared to be his fault,” said Hollingsworth.

He also paid tribute to Smith, saying: “He brought a touch of sanity to things which could easily have got out of control – the Noel Edmonds show was a particular example. He was particularly good at keeping his feet on the ground.”

Smith died in hospital on Friday following complications from major heart surgery.

Hollingsworth went on to say that many were shocked by his death, as they did not realise he was ill.

“He seemed absolutely fine. Like all of us he was getting a bit older and perhaps a bit slower, but it never struck me that there was any problem in his life,” he added.

Noel Edmonds, who had often worked with Smith, made an emotional statement last week, reaching out to Smith's wife, the former Blue Peter star Sarah Greene.

“I am totally stunned and heartbroken for Sarah and his family,” he said.

“He was so much more than simply a presenter. Mike was that rare individual – the consummate broadcaster in an era when professionalism, dedication and hard work were truly valued.

“I am typing this through the tears. I wish I had told him more forcefully and frequently how much I admired his talent and valued his support.”

Smith retreated from the limelight in the mid-90s and set up Flying TV, which provided aerial camera footage for broadcast, with Smith often piloting helicopters himself.