Dame Penelope Keith, an actor best known for BBC sitcoms To the Manor Born and The Good Life as well as for an illustrious stage career, has died at the age of 86.
A statement released by her family (via BBC News) reads: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years.
"The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time."
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Born in 1940, Keith achieved fame in 1975 through the iconic role of snobbish neighbour Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life.
One year after that show ended, she solidified her sitcom star status by playing the lead role of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born. She starred opposite Peter Bowles, who previously turned down the chance to play Margo's husband.
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Her theatre work included a tonne of Shakespeare, as well as the Laurence Olivier Award-winning Donkeys' Years and Alyn Ayckbourn's trilogy The Norman Conquests.
Keith actually reprised her stage role for a TV adaptation of The Norman Conquests, which brought her even more acclaim.
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The official account for BAFTA wrote: "We're saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith," before it recounted her two award wins (one for The Good Life and another for both The Norman Conquests and Saving It For Albie) and three further nominations.
"Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith CBE. She was a neighbour & friend where she was dearly loved by all who knew her in Milford", wrote former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.
"She helped Britain laugh at itself, one of our best national qualities, & brought happiness to millions. RIP dear Penny."
Former TV producer turned novelist Lissa Evans posted: "Margo Leadbetter was snobbish, humourless and entitled, & Penelope Keith managed to make her into one of the most adored (and oddly vulnerable) characters ever seen on a sitcom. She delivered every line as if it were a jewelled crown on a velvet cushion. An utter genius."
ITV presenter Rob Osborne paid tribute by sharing a satirically comic advert that Keith did for Parker pens.
Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish.
