Kirstie Allsopp has sparked a heated debate after criticising BAFTA over the wording of its tribute to Dame Penelope Keith.
The beloved actress, best known for her unforgettable roles in The Good Life and To the Manor Born, passed away aged 86 at her home in Surrey after living with cancer. Her family confirmed the sad news and described her peaceful farewell after a remarkable life on stage and screen.
Tributes quickly poured in from fans, colleagues and entertainment figures who remembered Dame Penelope as one of Britain’s finest comic talents.
BAFTA also shared a message honouring her career, saying it was saddened to learn of her “passing” and celebrating her award-winning contribution to British television.
But that wording did not sit well with Kirstie Allsopp.
The Location, Location, Location presenter took to social media to argue that BAFTA should have used more direct language. She said Dame Penelope had not simply “passed” and insisted she deserved a clearer, more human tribute.
Her sharpest line quickly caught attention, as she wrote that Dame Penelope was not “a car or a bottle of ketchup.”
The comment divided readers almost instantly.
Some agreed with Kirstie, saying public institutions should avoid language that feels too soft, vague or overly polished when marking the end of a great life. They argued that Dame Penelope’s family had used direct wording and BAFTA could have followed that tone.
Others felt the criticism was unnecessary, pointing out that “passed away” is often used gently when speaking about loss, especially in public tributes.
The debate has now become about more than one sentence.
It has raised questions over how people talk about grief, how institutions write tributes and whether softer wording brings comfort or creates distance.
For many fans, though, the focus remains on Dame Penelope herself.
Her portrayal of Margo Leadbetter turned her into a national treasure, while To the Manor Born cemented her place in British sitcom history. With her elegance, wit and razor-sharp timing, she helped define an era of television.
Whatever words people choose, one thing is clear.
Dame Penelope Keith leaves behind a legacy Britain will not forget.
