Kirstie Allsopp rages at BAFTA for its coverage of the death of 'absolute national treasure' Dame Penelope Keith

Kirstie Allsopp ranted at  for its coverage of Dame Penelope Keith's death, as she raged 'she was an absolute national treasure' in response to their statement. 

Dame Penelope, one of Britain's best-loved comedy actresses, known for sitcoms The Good Life and To The Manor Born, died aged 86 following a diagnosis. 

TV presenter Kirstie, 54, was unhappy with the use of the word 'passing' to describe Dame Penelope's death in their announcement, which they shared to X on Monday.

BAFTA's statement read: '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.'

Taking umbrage with the phrasing, Kirstie said: 'It's "death", Dame Penelope died, she was an absolute national treasure, she lived & worked and was brilliant and then she died. Dame Penelope did not "pass", she was not a car or a bottle of ketchup.'

Kirstie's fury continued in the comments section of the post, as she argued with critics who said that they thought 'passed' was less harsh than 'died'.

One thoughtful person said: 'I think it is a choice of words that different people are comfortable with. You should use what you feel comfortable using and let others use what they prefer. Let's not judge, it is a personal viewpoint'.

However, Kirstie said: '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.'

A statement issued on behalf of her family said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with 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.'

Another person said that it felt like a more compassionate choice of wording, while Kirstie argued that euphemisms for dying 'are not in the least compassionate'.

Another X user said: 'You need to stop posting for clicks and learn some language used around bereavement and those grieving. This was unnecessary.'

But Kirstie doubled down and said: 'Many people who have mourned the death of people they loved find this type of euphemism very jarring indeed. They feel it takes away the impact of the event and turns it into a mere burp in the meal of life.'

However, not everyone disagreed with Kirstie as many commented saying they also have an issue with the word 'passing' to depict death.

Among them was Jeremy Clarkson, who replied: 'I loathe "passing". Loathe it'.

The Daily Mail have contacted a BAFTA spokesperson for comment. 

The actress, who married former policeman Roger Timson in 1978 and had two adopted sons, died at her 17th-century home in Milford, Surrey, following a battle with cancer. 

Dame Penelope started her career on the stage and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963, but became a household name for her TV roles in some of the country's most popular sitcoms.

She won a AFTA in 1977 for The Good Life, in which she played snobbish suburbanite Margo Leadbetter, who lives in Surbiton, next door to Tom and Barbara Good (Richard Briers and ), with her husband Jerry (Paul Eddington).

In an attempt to escape the rat race, the Goods try to become self-sufficient, turning their garden into an allotment and introducing farmyard animals, much to Margo and Jerry's horror. 

In the early episodes, Margo was heard but not seen, but her presence increased as the show became popular.

In a tribute today, Kendal remembered Dame Penelope as a 'comic genius' who was 'a joy to know and work with'. 

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 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.'

Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth said Dame Penelope was 'such a special lady – a wonderful actress, a real friend, so funny, so generous with the time she gave to good causes', adding: 'Hers was indeed a good life.'

Great British Bake Off former presenter Sue Perkins hailed Dame Penelope as 'queen, legend, icon', adding on Instagram: 'Creator of some of the greatest sitcom characters of all time'. 

In To The Manor Born, Dame Penelope's character, widowed aristocrat Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, is forced to sell her vast country estate, Grantleigh Manor, after the death of her husband.

She moves into the estate's modest lodge house from where she can keep an eye on the new owner, nouveau riche supermarket millionaire Richard DeVere, played by Peter Bowles.

Named one of the late Queen's favourite stars, Penelope was a made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by Elizabeth II in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in March 2014.