British sitcom actress Penelope Keith, best known for her roles in The Good Life and To the Manor Born, has died at the age of 86.

Her demise was announced by her family on Monday, with the cause of her death reported as cancer. She passed away at her home in Sutton, Surrey, England.

The statement read, “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.”

Penelope Keith was born on 2 April 1940 in Sutton, Surrey, England, and spent her early childhood in different places due to family separation, which sparked her passion for performance.

Her love for the arts was rooted in persistence and hard work. After being rejected at her audition for drama training, she continued to develop her craft, including studying at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The veteran built her career slowly through repertory theatre, which involves a single group of actors performing several different plays in rotation.

In 1963, she was recognised for her work and became associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ms Keith’s big break came in the 1970s when she was cast as Margo Leadbetter in the BBC sitcom The Good Life, portraying a dramatic upper-middle-class neighbour.

The role earned her a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award in 1977. She followed this success with another iconic role as Audrey Forbes-Hamilton in the TV show To the Manor Born, where she played a proud, wealthy woman whose life takes a major turn after losing her husband and wealth, forcing her to adjust to a simpler life.

The show became one of Britain’s biggest television comedies, attracting millions of viewers.

During her long career, she received several notable royal honours from Queen Elizabeth II for her work in acting and charity.

She was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1990, followed by a higher honour, the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), in 2007. Finally, in 2014, she received a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire), which officially gave her the title of Dame.

Outside the drama of show business, she married Rodney Timson, a police officer, in 1978, and the couple later adopted two sons.

She was also heavily involved in humanitarian and charity work, serving as president of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund and later as the High Sheriff of Surrey.