Famous faces gathered at Guildford Cathedral to bid a final farewell to Dame Penelope Keith, who died last month at the age of 86 following a cancer battle.
Mourners pay tribute
My Family actor Robert Lindsay and Drop The Dead Donkey's Neil Pearson were among those attending the funeral earlier today. Former Prime Minister John Major also made the journey to Surrey.
Gyles Brandreth described the proceedings as “truly beautiful and deeply moving”. Writing on Twitter, he said: “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.” In a follow-up tweet, he added: “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.”
Procession through the streets
Mourners lined the streets in front of the cathedral as the coffin approached. Witley & Milford parish councillor Maxine Gale told the BBC that the procession began just before 10am and travelled past “all the shops where so many of us used to see her”. She urged locals to say “goodbye to a very special lady”.
Family statement
Dame Penelope’s family confirmed her death at the end of last month, saying in a statement: “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.”
Career highlights
Penelope Keith stepped into the spotlight in the 1960s and soon moved from stage to screen. She delighted audiences as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born, but her biggest role came in 1975 when she played Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life. In one of her last TV appearances in October 2025, she fronted The Good Life: Inside Out on U&Gold, looking back on the sitcom's success.
BBC Four celebrated her contribution to TV after 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, followed by a classic episode. They also showed an instalment of The Good Life and ended with Hay Fever, the television adaptation of Noël Coward's play.
