TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has criticized the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) for using the word “passing” in a tribute to Dame Penelope Keith, arguing the term is an inappropriate euphemism for death. Allsopp stated on X that the actress “died” and compared the use of “pass” to describing a car or a bottle of ketchup.
The dispute follows the announcement by Dame Penelope Keith’s family that the 86-year-old actress died peacefully at her home in Surrey after a cancer diagnosis. The family requested privacy in a statement released on Monday, noting she had lived in the Surrey residence for more than 50 years.
Bafta’s official statement expressed sadness over the “passing” of the actress, highlighting her career achievements, including a 1997 Bafta win for her role in The Good Life and a 1978 award for her work in The Norman Conquests and Saving It For Albie. The academy also noted she received three additional nominations during her career.
Why is Kirstie Allsopp criticizing Bafta’s tribute?
Kirstie Allsopp, known for Location, Location, Location, took issue with the academy’s choice of language, specifically the word “passing.” In a reply to Bafta’s official account on X, Allsopp wrote: “It’s ‘death’, Dame Penelope died, she was an absolute national treasure, she lived and worked and was brilliant and then she died.”
Allsopp further argued that the term “pass” was unsuitable for a human being, writing, “Dame Penelope did not ‘pass’; she was not a car or a bottle of ketchup.” She contended that because Bafta is an organization and not a person, it should have mirrored the direct language used in the family’s own announcement.
The debate extended into Allsopp’s own comments section, where she responded to users who suggested “passed” serves as a gentler alternative to “died.” Allsopp maintained that the organization should have reflected the family’s specific wording.
Who was Dame Penelope Keith?
Dame Penelope Keith was a British sitcom star and stage actress. She is recognized for her role in The Good Life, a performance that earned her a Bafta award in 1997. Her professional accolades also include a 1978 Bafta for her contributions to The Norman Conquests and Saving It For Albie.
Following her death, tributes were issued by various public figures, including her The Good Life co-star Felicity Kendal, comedian Sue Perkins, and former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The family’s official statement confirmed she died peacefully while living with cancer. They expressed gratitude for the care and support she received throughout her medical treatments.
Context of the “passing” vs “died” debate
The use of “passing” as a euphemism for death is a long-standing linguistic tradition. According to historical records, the phrase dates back to the 14th century, originally describing the soul’s passage from the physical body.
This specific disagreement is not the first time Allsopp has engaged in public social media disputes. In November, she exchanged words with Michael Rosen regarding his use of a Freedom Pass for travel within London.
The tension in this instance centers on the distinction between personal grief and institutional communication. Allsopp’s argument rests on the premise that an organization should avoid euphemisms when the bereaved family has chosen to use the word “died” explicitly.
As of this report, Bafta has not issued a follow-up statement regarding the wording of their tribute or Allsopp’s criticisms.
Readers are encouraged to share their views on the use of euphemisms in public tributes in the comments section below.