Dame Penelope Keith, best known for her iconic role as Margo in The Good Life, has died peacefully aged 86 after living with cancer at her Surrey home, her family has confirmed.

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Dame Penelope Keith has died aged 86 following a battle with cancer, her family has confirmed.

Penelope was best recognised for her performances in television programmes including The Good Life and To The Manor Born.

In a statement, her family confirmed she “died peacefully” at her Surrey home. They said: “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 launched her acting career performing at theatres across Britain. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and appeared with them in Stratford and at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

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Her television work commenced in the early 1970s when she featured in The Morecambe and Wise Show, Ghost Story and The Pallisers. She also made noteworthy appearances in spy programme The Avengers during the early stages of her career.

In 1975, she took on the role of Margo Leadbitter in The Good Life. Her final TV appearance, in 2025, was on UandGold’s The Good Life: Inside Out, a retrospective examining what made the beloved sitcom such a success with audiences.

She spent three years portraying Margo, a pretentious social climber married to her downtrodden husband Jerry, played by the late Paul Eddington. The programme aired from 1975 to 1978, broadcasting four series and a television special that was recorded before the Royal Family.

Penelope once declined the opportunity to feature in a spin-off series, reports The Mirror. She said: “People mentioned ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a Leadbetter spin-off and I said ‘No. It’s a situation comedy and the situation is strong because of the two couples’.

“Can you imagine how tedious it would have been having Margo and Jerry having their own series?”.

Penelope frequently praised the sitcom’s writers, John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, for crafting such wonderfully flawed characters that audiences embraced wholeheartedly.

Penelope explains: “Margo was the prime lady of the avenue with all the dinner parties and whatever she took part in, she had to do it perfectly and had to be top dog and sometimes she was terribly disapproving”.

“She had no sense of humour but she was terribly kind and didn’t want to offend but she engaged mouth before brain so often.

“She had enormous warmth and adored the goods and likewise jerry but he infuriated her. There is a line where she says ‘I am the silent majority’ and she said it deadpan and that is what she felt and that is what half the country felt at the time as well.”

She had previously spoken warmly about her experience on the programme. She said: “I look back on it as one of the happiest times. It was of its time at the right time.

“It was as good as it was because of everything else behind it. Everybody cared. The laughter, the joy it brought and the fact that people liked it so much and believed in it so much is reward.”

If you are having to take time off work or need to cover childcare costs over the summer, you might have a little less to spend on food.

Throughout the summer holidays, more than 330 Tesco stores are offering free meals to children from The Café and The Coffee Shop seven days a week.

The scheme has been running since June 25 and will be available until September 1.

How can I get a free meal for kids at Tesco?

You can get one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with any full price adult purchase when you scan your Tesco Clubcard.

The adult purchase can be anything from an apple that costs only 65p to a full meal for yourself.

Tesco has not put a limit on the number of kids meals you can redeem.

There are a range of dishes on the menu including pancakes for breakfast or fish fingers, pork sausages, and chicken strips as a hot meal.

Children can choose a sandwich, a drink, two snacks, and a piece of fresh fruit to make up their Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal.

The brand is also taking part in the Great British Summer Savings scheme with the full prices of children’s meals being cut.

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “We know that household budgets can be really stretched, especially over the long summer holiday, so offering free meals to children during this time is just one of the ways we can support families.”  

How to get free fruit from Tesco in the summer

Tesco is also bringing back its Free Fruit for Kids that will run from July 20 to August 30.

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More than 800 large Tesco stores and 77 of its large Express stores will be giving away free apples to children at its checkouts.

The free apples can also be claimed through the Click & Collect service at selected stores.

Will you be trying out the Kids Eat Free scheme this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

Friends star Courteney Cox has reportedly split from Snow Patrol musician and Belfast star Johnny McDaid after more than a decade together, with the couple having previously been engaged

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Courteney Cox has reportedly called time on her romance with Johnny McDaid.

The 62 year old star, best known for playing Monica Geller in Friends, has been in a relationship with Snow Patrol rocker Johnny, 49, since 2013, having got engaged over a decade ago.

But it emerged on Saturday that the pair have parted ways, though sources have stressed it wasn’t an “ugly split” at all.

An insider told The Mail on Sunday: “Johnny speaks incredibly highly of Courteney. They had a very deep relationship and they remain extremely amicable. They are great friends and care about each other very much.

“This was not an ugly split. They had simply reached a point where they were living different lives.”

It’s believed Johnny has started seeing someone new, with his last public appearance with Courteney – who is mum to 22 year old daughter Coco with ex-husband David Arquette – happening in September at the US Open.

Just weeks before that outing, the now-separated couple were spotted enjoying a night out with Jennifer Aniston and her other half Jim Curtis, reports the Mirror, reports RSVP Live.

Courteney, who also portrays Gail Weathers in the Scream franchise, first met Johnny at a Los Angeles party through their shared pal Ed Sheeran. In 2024, the actress revealed that Johnny had previously terminated their relationship at the very start of a couples therapy appointment they were attending together.

During an appearance on the Minnie Questions podcast, she confided in Minnie Driver, saying: “We went to this therapist to talk about our boundaries – what we could and couldn’t accept of each other.

“I was like, ‘what?’

“And we were engaged. And I was so shocked. I was in so much pain. I also don’t like surprises!

“There was that much that needed to be dealt with, that he had to protect himself around his heart.”

The couple eventually navigated through their troubles and, despite calling off their engagement, maintained their relationship – until their recent separation.

Three organisations providing vital local connections are sharing more than £101,000 of SPT funding.

Three South Lanakshire organisations are sharing more than £101,000 in core grant funding from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Larkhall and District Volunteer Group (LDVG), Blantyre Volunteer Group and East Kilbride Community Transport (EKCT) are each receiving support for 2026-2027 from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

They are among 19 community organisations across the region to benefit from the funding allocation to help in their work of “delivering essential journeys to healthcare appointments, shops and social activities”.

Larkhall and District Volunteer Group will receive up to £64,700 for its core operations and to support MyBus demand-responsive services.

The organisation, based at Victoria Street in the town, operates community transport minibuses and runs services including three weekly shopping bus services for older residents in Ashgill, Strutherhill, Birkenshaw and Hareleeshill, and a community car helping local people with transport to medical appointments.

Blantyre Volunteer Group will receive up to £28,000 towards core operating costs for running its fleet of five minibuses, which provides journeys for charities, youth associations, schools and community groups.

East Kilbride Community Transport will receive up to £16,000 in core funding, “helping ensure residents across the area can access the services and activities they need”.

The voluntary organisation, which has been running for almost four decades, operates three 16-seater minibuses which are booked by community groups, schools and churches for trips and social activities.

Group secretary June Harpum told the East Kilbride News earlier this year how the operation costs £5000 per month for costs ranging from ever-increasing fuel to required 10-weekly servicing of its vehicles.

SPT chair Councillor Stephen Dornan said: “South Lanarkshire has a network of dedicated community transport volunteers and operators who make a real difference to people’s lives every day.

“Whether it’s a MyBus journey to a medical appointment in Larkhall or a community trip in East Kilbride, these organisations are connecting people who might otherwise be left isolated; SPT is delighted to support their work.”

Papers for SPT’s operations committee approving the funding for the 19 organisations noted: “Community transport operators deliver essential services, with a particular focus on supporting older people, individuals with disabilities, and those on low incomes.

“These services facilitate access to key destinations, including healthcare, retail, and social activities, thereby supporting independent living and community participation.

“Applications seek funding support towards core operating costs, including driver provision, volunteer expenses, staff salaries, training, vehicle insurance, maintenance, and fuel – without this support, the sector’s ability to deliver essential transport services to local communities would be significantly reduced.

“Community rransport plays a critical role in improving access to goods, services, and facilities across the west of Scotland, particularly for older people, disadvantaged individuals and vulnerable groups.”

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She was known for her appearances in the sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born.

A statement on behalf of Dame Penelope’s family said: “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.”

RIP Penelope Keith. Such a talented actress with brilliant timing and an accent that could cut glass. Loved watching her pic.twitter.com/9WmInFvjCk

— 🇬🇧🐕Rach🍺🏌🏼‍♀️ (@IsItRaquel) June 29, 2026

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Among those to pay tribute was the MP Jeremy Hunt who posted on X: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith CBE.

“She was a neighbour & friend where she was dearly loved by all who knew her in Milford.

“She helped Britain laugh at itself, one of our best national qualities, &brought happiness to millions.

“RIP dear Penny.”

The career of Dame Penelope Keith

Keith was born in Sutton, Surrey, in 1940, and she went to a Catholic convent boarding school in Seaford at the age of six.

Dame Penelope Keith collected a CBE from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 (Image: PA Wire)

It was here she became interested in acting and frequently went to matinées in the West End with her mother.

Keith joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and went on to win the 1976 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance for the play Donkeys’ Years.

She became a household name in the UK playing Margo Leadbetter in the sitcom The Good Life (1975–78), winning the 1977 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance.

In 1978, Keith won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for The Norman Conquests.

In her later career, she presented some documentary series for the BBC and Channel 4.

She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to the arts and to charity.

Were you a fan of Dame Penelope Keith’s work? Let us know in the comments.

Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the site as emergency services attended on Sunday evening

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service says a large blaze at a historic convent in Co Down was started deliberately.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Downpatrick after the fire was reported at around 7pm on Sunday evening, June 28. Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the Convent Of Mercy on St Patrick’s Avenue in the town with the roof well ablaze.

In a statement on Monday morning, a NIFRS spokesperson said: “A large building fire on Irish Street, Downpatrick, has now been dealt with. The initial call was received at 7.01pm on yesterday evening (Sunday 28 June 2026).

“At the height of the incident 70 firefighters were involved. A total of 10 appliances attended from Downpatrick, Newcastle, Dromore, Ballynahinch, Comber, Carryduff, Banbridge, Newtownards and Rathfriland Fire Stations, supported by two Aerial Appliances from Knock and Springfield Fire Stations, a Command Support Unit from Lisburn Fire Station and a Water Tanker from Warrenpoint Fire Station.

“Our firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and extinguished. We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident. The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 10.03am.”

A PSNI spokesperson added: “Police received a report of a large fire in the Stream Street area of Downpatrick just after 7.10pm on Sunday, 28th June. Officers attended to assist colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service with traffic management until the blaze was extinguished in the early hours.

“Fire Service have stated that ignition may have been deliberate and as such a scene is being held this morning, Monday 29th June, to allow for further investigation.

“We would appeal to anyone with information to contact police using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals – quoting reference 1509 28/06/26. You can also contact us on 101.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

Built in the 1870s the convent went on the market in October last year with an asking price of £400,000 with planning permission for flats attached. It had previously sold for £175,000 in 2019.

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SDLP MLA Colin McGrath expressed his sadness following the major fire at the former convent in Downpatrick.

The South Down MLA said: “It’s really sad to see the former convent in Downpatrick on fire. Although it’s been lying derelict for some time, it’s still one of those buildings that people in the town know well, and it’s difficult to watch it being lost like this.

“Many local people will have memories of the convent and the role it played over the years. Even in recent times it has remained a familiar part of the Downpatrick skyline, so seeing it go up in flames is upsetting.

“I want to pay tribute to the firefighters and all of the emergency services who have responded so quickly to what is clearly a significant incident. Their professionalism and bravery in dealing with situations like this should never be taken for granted.

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“My thoughts are also with those living and working nearby who will understandably have been concerned as the fire developed.”

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