To The Manor Born and The Good Life star Penelope Keith dies aged 86

The Good Life actress Dame Penelope Keith has died at the age of 86.

The actress’s family said she died peacefully at her home in Surrey after having been diagnosed with cancer.

In a statement, they said: “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.”

Dame Penelope, best known for her roles in The Good Life and To The Manor Born, died in Milford, where she had lived with her husband Rodney Timson.

The sitcom star married the former policeman in 1978, the same year The Good Life ended. She met him at Chichester Theatre while reading from Jane Austen’s letters.

Ten years after they married, in 1988, the couple adopted two boys who were brothers.

Felicity Kendal, a Good Life co-star, paid tribute, saying: “I am deeply saddened to hear of my friend Penelope’s death.

“The shows I worked on with her were such special times in our lives, and demonstrated her comic genius.

“My heart goes out to her beloved Rodney at this time – theirs was a great love story and partnership. She was a joy to know and work with, and she will be much missed.”

Dame Penelope joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963, but became a household name for her work in comedy.

The growing popularity of The Good Life led to a coveted invitation to the 1977 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show, in which she took part in a Cyrano de Bergerac sketch.

The grand finale featured the famous “unfinished stairs” sketch during which the trio attempted to dance down a grand, Hollywood-style staircase and the actress was forced to clamber off the stairs.

In the same year, she won a Bafta for her portrayal of Margo, a snobbish social climber who actually had a heart of gold.

She was made a Dame in 2014 for services to the arts and charities.

At 7pm on Wednesday (London time), West End theatres will dim their lights for two minutes in tribute.

Claire Walker, the co-chief executive of Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said: “We are proud to come together as an industry and honour the life and extraordinarily prolific career of Dame Penelope Keith, who will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come as one of this country’s most venerated actors.

“We offer condolences to her loved ones and all who knew her.”

Dame Penelope, known to her friends as Penny, was born Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield in Sutton, Surrey, in 1940.

She was brought up by her mother Connie, who was divorced by her Army major father when she was a baby. She remained close to her mother, who inspired her love of performing.

Her path to becoming an acclaimed actress was not without difficulty, and she was rejected by the Central School of Speech and Drama for being too tall.

However, she soon secured a place at the Webber Douglas Academy before making her debut in repertory theatre in Chesterfield.

Her mother remained supportive of her daughter’s career, and would always wear a white hat so that she could be seen in the audience.

The Telegraph, London