Kirstie Allsopp said she “stumbled across the most divisive issue of all time” when she blasted the use of the word “passing” instead of “death”.
The TV presenter criticised Bafta for its statement about the actress Penelope Keith, whose death at the age of 86 was announced on Monday.
After news of her death was shared by her family, Bafta paid tribute to The Good Life star with a post on social media, reading: “We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith, aged 86.
Penelope Keith
“A familiar face on stage and screen, Keith won a Bafta for her iconic role in The Good Life in 1977 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.”
Allsopp replied to the post: “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.”
Allsopp’s comment sparked a heated online debate, over the appropriate language to use when talking about death.
Responding to the furore, she wrote on X: “It seems I’ve stumbled across the most divisive issue of all time.
“Those who loathe the use of passed or passing in reference to death & those who prefer it.
“I’m in the loathe camp, I think it attempts to sweep away the profound significance of death, but it’s quite the debate.”
In a further post, Allsopp asked: “When did we move from saying ‘sad to hear of the death of….’ to ‘sad to hear of the passing of’?
“Is there any way to stop this? We are already bad enough at discussing death in the UK.”
Her feelings were echoed by former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, who replied: “I loathe ‘passing’. Loathe it.”
Announcing the news of Keith’s death, a statement on behalf of her 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.”
Allsopp pointed out that this language was not reflected by Bafta, writing: “When a family announces that someone they love has died, it is not up to Bafta or anyone else to alter that to passing.”
She added it was “an expression loathed by both Margo & Audrey,” referring to her characters in sitcoms The Good Life and To The Manor Born.
Allsopp also described it as “a quasi religious euphemism which sweeps aside the profound nature of death”.
However, other followers on Twitter pointed out that reactions to grief may vary. One wrote: “It’s not up to you to dictate the language people use in grief.”
Bafta has been contacted for comment.
Source: Press Association