Inside death of Veteran UK actress Penelope Keith at 86

Dame Penelope Keith, a beloved sitcom legend, has died following a battle with cancer. She was 86.

The TV icon’s family confirmed her death in a statement on Monday, saying the actress passed away at her five-decade-long home in Surrey.

"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 asks that their privacy be respected at this time,” the statement read.

Keith became a breakout star after she portrayed snobbish Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life, a hit sitcom of the 1970s.

Then, the late actress won the audience for her role as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, an aristocratic widow in To the Manor Born.

Keith, meanwhile, boasted an Oliver Award for 1976’s Donkey’s Years and a BAFTA for The Good Life and another for The Norman Conquests and Saving It For Albie.

Away from the screen, the late actress replaced Sir Laurence Olivier as president of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund in 1989.

In addition, the well-known British comedy star was given the honour of Dame in recognition of her work in the arts and charity.

Given Keith’s towering figure in television, Sir Jeremy Hunt, an ex-culture secretary, paid a rich tribute to her.

"Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith CBE. She was a neighbour and friend who was dearly loved by all who knew her in Milford,” he wrote on X.

"She helped Britain laugh at itself, one of our best national qualities, and brought happiness to millions. RIP, dear Penny,” Hunt noted.