Kirstie Allsopp has lashed out at BAFTA over its tribute to Dame Penelope Keith, who died at age 86 on June 29 after a battle with cancer. The TV presenter took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her fury over the organization's choice of language.
BAFTA's Tribute and Allsopp's Reaction
BAFTA posted on X: "We're saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith, aged 86. A familiar face on stage and screen Keith won a BAFTA for her iconic role in the Good Life in 1997 and another for her work in The Norman Conquests and Saving It For Albie in 1978, with a further three BAFTA nominations during her career."
Allsopp, who has 425,000 followers on X, responded angrily: "It's 'death', Dame Penelope died, she was an absolute national treasure, she lived & worked and was brilliant and then she died. Dame Penelope did not 'pass', she was not a car or a bottle of ketchup." She added: "When did we move from saying 'sad to hear of the death of…' to 'sad to hear of the passing of'? Is there any way to stop this? We are already bad enough at discussing death in the U.K."
Mixed Reactions and Support
Allsopp's comments received mixed responses. One user said: "I think it is a choice of words that different people are comfortable with. You should use what you feel comfortable using and let others use what they prefer. Let's not judge, it is a personal viewpoint." Another added: "Why would you argue with a family about how they express that."
Allsopp hit back, clarifying: "The family issued a statement saying that Dame Penelope had 'died while living with cancer; a particularly elegant way of addressing two issues I felt. I obviously double checked that before telling BAFTA what I felt about their statement." She emphasized: "BAFTA is an organisation not a person, and as Dame Penelope's family statement said she had died, they should have at least reflected their language."
Support from Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson sided with Allsopp, stating: "I loathe 'passing'. Loathe it."
Family Statement and Career Highlights
Dame Penelope's family said in full: "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."
Keith was best known for her role as Margo Leadbetter in the classic sitcom The Good Life, which followed Tom and Barbara Good (played by Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal) trying to become self-sufficient in Surbiton. Keith won a BAFTA for her role in 1977. In one of her last TV appearances in October 2025, she fronted The Good Life: Inside Out on U&Gold, reflecting on the show's success.
