Farewell to the ultimate sitcom snob whose wit won hearts of the nation in The Good Life

SHE epitomised the social-climbing, curtain-twitching snob — and we adored her for it.

- BY KAT HOPPS

Dame Penelope Keith, who has died aged 86 of cancer, became one of Britain’s best-loved actors by playing some of the most toe-curlingly snooty characters imaginable.

She came to prominence as the glorious Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life, opposite Paul Eddington as her hen-pecked husband Jerry, and Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal as their self-sufficient neighbours Tom and Barbara Good.

Beneath Margo’s haughty exterior was a soft centre, though, and Keith’s blend of vulnerability and impeccable comic timing, famously delivered in her cut-glass vowels, earned her a Bafta in 1977 and a place in the nation’s hearts forever after.

Her incredible career spanned five decades of television, film, radio and theatre.

Felicity Kendal, the last surviving member of The Good Life’s main cast, last night led tributes to Keith, who died at home in Surrey, where she had lived for 50 years.

Kendal said: “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 [husband] 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.”

A statement from her family said the actress had “died peacefully whilst living with cancer” at her home. They added: “We are grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments.”

Other tributes came from presenter Sue Perkins, who called Keith the “creator of some of the greatest sitcom characters of all time”. Gyles Brandreth said: “Hers was indeed a good life.”

Following The Good Life, Keith enjoyed huge success in second upper-class role in another BBC sitcom: To The Manor Born.