A number of famous faces were in attendance say a final goodbye to Dame Penelope Keith, following her death last month. The legendary actress, best known for her role as Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life, died at the age of 86 following a cancer battle.
After tributes poured in for the late star on social media, many arrived in Surrey for her funeral earlier today. My Family actor Robert Lindsay and Drop The Dead Donkey’s Neil Pearson were among those gathered to pay their respects.
Former Prime Minister John Major also made the journey to Guildford Cathedral, while Gyles Brandreth described the proceedings as “truly beautiful and deeply moving”.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “I’m on my way to Guildford Cathedral for the funeral of Dame Penelope Keith – a wonderful actress and a lovely person, funny and wise and kind.”
He added in a follow-up tweet: “There was laughter and tears at Guildford Cathedral this morning – a truly beautiful and deeply moving funeral service for Dame Penelope Keith – what a lady and what a perfect service. It caught her completely. She was very special.”
In moving pictures, mourners were seen gathering outside the cathedral while her coffin approached the venue.
According to the BBC, Witley & Milford parish councillor Maxine Gale said that the procession would begin just before 10am, and would travel past “all the shops where so many of us used to see her”.
She reportedly urged locals to say “goodbye to a very special lady”.
Dame Penelope’s family confirmed the news of her death at the end of last month, in a heartfelt statement. It read: “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.”
She stepped into the spotlight in the 60s and soon swapped the stage for the small screen. She delighted many as her stint as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born but her biggest role came in 1975 when she landed the role of Margo on The Good Life.
In one of her last TV appearances in October 2025, Penelope fronted The Good Life: Inside Out on U&Gold looking back on the huge success of the sitcom.
BBC Four celebrated her contribution to TV in the wake of her death, with a selection of programmes on July 14. The broadcaster aired Penelope Keith Remembers… To the Manor Born, a documentary in which she reflected on her role in the beloved sitcom – before a classic episode.
Bosses also showed an instalment of the Good Life, and ended the celebration with Hay Fever, the television adaptation of Noël Coward’s celebrated play.
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