Kirstie Allsopp has ignited a social media debate after criticising BAFTA for its choice of wording in the tribute to Dame Penelope Keith. The Location, Location, Location presenter took issue with the academy using the word 'passing' instead of 'death' when honouring the late actress, who died aged 86 after a cancer diagnosis.
BAFTA's Tribute Draws Criticism
Dame Penelope Keith, best known for her role in the classic sitcom The Good Life, passed away peacefully at her home in Surrey, where she had lived for over 50 years. Her family announced her death earlier this week, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors, comedians, and politicians. BAFTA released a statement saying: '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.'
However, Allsopp was unimpressed with the euphemism. She replied to BAFTA's official X account: 'It’s “death”, Dame Penelope died, she was an absolute national treasure, she lived and worked and was brilliant and then she died. Dame Penelope did not “pass”; she was not a car or a bottle of ketchup.' The post quickly garnered attention, sparking a debate over the appropriateness of using 'passed' as a gentler alternative to 'died'.
Allsopp Defends Her Position
Despite some disagreement from social media users who argued that 'passed' is a more sensitive term, Allsopp stood her ground. She responded to critics by stating: '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.' The family's official statement, released on Monday, 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. [We’re] grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.'
Dame Penelope Keith was a beloved figure in British television, with a career spanning decades. She won two BAFTA awards and received three additional nominations. Her death has been mourned by many, including The Good Life co-star Felicity Kendal, comedian Sue Perkins, and former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Allsopp's History of Social Media Debates
This is not the first time Allsopp has engaged in a public disagreement on social media. In November, she exchanged words with author Michael Rosen over his use of a Freedom Pass to travel in London. Her latest intervention has once again highlighted the ongoing cultural conversation around language used to discuss death.
