Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of Dame Penelope Keith as the TV star is laid to rest.
People lined the streets of the actress’s home village of Milford, in Surrey, as her coffin was walked through the streets.
Dame Penelope, one of Britain’s best-loved comedy actresses, died at her 17th-century home last month, aged 86, following a battle with cancer.
Actors Robert Lindsay and Neil Pearson were among those who were in attendance for the funeral service at Guildford Cathedral.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth was also seen attending the service. He posted a message on X this morning in which he called Dame Penelope a ‘wonderful actress and lovely person’.
Dame Penelope started her career on the stage and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963, but became a household name for her TV roles in some of the country’s most popular sitcoms.
She won a Bafta in 1977 for The Good Life, in which she played snobbish suburbanite Margo Leadbetter, who lives in Surbiton, next door to Tom and Barbara Good (Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal), with her husband Jerry (Paul Eddington).
People lined the streets of Dame Penelope Keith’s home village of Milford, in Surrey, as her coffin was walked through the streets
Actor Robert Lindsay, who appeared in Citizen Smith and My Family, is pictured arriving for Dame Penelope’s funeral
In an attempt to escape the rat race, the Goods try to become self-sufficient, turning their garden into an allotment and introducing farmyard animals, much to Margo and Jerry’s horror.
In the early episodes, Margo was heard but not seen, but her presence increased as the show became popular.
A statement issued on behalf of her family following her death 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.’
Witley and Milford parish councillor Maxine Gale earlier this month urged locals to line the streets and ‘say their goodbyes to a very special lady’.
The coffin was carried in a hearse ‘past all the shops where so many of us used to see her’.
Brandreth posted a tribute following Dame Penelope’s death last month in which he called her ‘such a special lady – a wonderful actress, a real friend, so funny, so generous with the time she gave to good causes’, adding: ‘Hers was indeed a good life.’
Named one of the late Queen’s favourite stars, Penelope was a made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by Elizabeth II in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in March 2014.
Two years later, in celebration of Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, Dame Penelope embarked on a tour of the Queen’s official residences across the the UK in the documentary series Penelope Keith At Her Majesty’s Service.
Speaking in 2007, in an interview published by the Daily Mail, she said: ‘Humour is power and a force for good because if you can laugh, particularly at yourself, you are some way to being able to make sense of things.
‘Political correctness is abominable. We have always been able to laugh at each other – it’s a part of who we are and it’s been a thoroughly healthy thing. Now we have surrendered the right to cause offence.’
The comedy star also appeared in sitcoms Executive Stress, No Job For A Lady and Next Of Kin, and won a Bafta for a TV adaptation of The Norman Conquests, in a role she reprised after a run on stage.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth was also seen attending the service. He posted a message on X this morning in which he called Dame Penelope a ‘wonderful actress and lovely person’
Dame Penelope’s coffin is carried into Guildford Cathedral ahead of her funeral service
Actor Neil Pearson wears sunglasses as he arrives for Dame Penelope’s funeral
Dame Penelope, one of Britain’s best-loved comedy actresses, died at her 17th-century home last month, aged 86, following a battle with cancer
She also lent her voice to adverts, including Pimm’s, Lurpak, and most famously, the Parker Pen Company, which was named one of the 100 greatest adverts.
In recent years, she made a return to the theatre, taking on roles such as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, Lady Bracknell in The Importance Of Being Earnest and, in 2022, leading a touring production of Two Cigarettes In The Dark.
Dame Penelope won the 1976 Olivier Award for best comedy performance for the play Donkeys’ Years.
She also turned her hand to factual programmes, including Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages, Penelope Keith’s Coastal Villages and Penelope Keith At Her Majesty’s Service.
Dame Penelope married former police detective Roger Timson in 1978. She met the twice-divorced policeman, who was eight years younger than her, while appearing on stage in Chichester, West Sussex, and he was on duty.
After marrying her, Mr Timson left the police to begin a new career as her manager – and they later adopted two brothers, keeping them out of the public eye.
Dame Penelope is thought to have last been seen in public with Mr Timson attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Cathedral last September.
