Oxford News
Jeremy Clarkson addresses ‘most divisive issue of all time’
The Location, Location, Location star said she “stumbled across the most divisive issue of all time” when she blasted the use of the word “passing” instead of “death”.
Ms Allsopp criticised Bafta for its statement about the actress Dame Penelope Keith, whose death at the age of 86 was announced on Monday.
After news of Dame Penelope’s 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.
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“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.”
Ms 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.”
Ms 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.
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“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.”
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Her feelings were echoed by former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, who replied: “I loathe ‘passing’. Loathe it.”
Announcing the news of Dame Penelope’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 asks that their privacy be respected at this time.”
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson gives damning one-word verdict on Andy Burnham
Ms 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.
Ms 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.”
Charlie Matthews appeared at Oxford Crown Court on August 27.
The 25-year-old is charged with two counts of rape.
The allegations are said to have taken place in Oxford in April and October 2021.
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The complainant for both counts is the same woman.
Matthews, of Langney Road, Eastbourne, pleaded not guilty to both counts.
A trial date, with a time estimate of four to five days, was set for August 21, 2028.
Judge Ian Pringle KC said that this is some seven years after the offences are alleged to have taken place.
The judge said: “Unfortunately, that’s the situation.”
Matthews was released on bail, with the condition not to contact the complainant.
Islandfarm Viscount is a 13-year-old gelding from Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell near Wallingford.
He took the top title at the 2026 Donkey Breed Society National Championship Show, held on August 22 at Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre in Coalville.
He is the offspring of East Lodge Bryony, a donkey left to the sanctuary by the late Alex and Sue Horn.
Mr Horn was a respected figure in donkey showing and won numerous awards during his lifetime.
Viscount has built an impressive record of his own, with championship wins at the Mid Somerset Show and the New Forest and Hampshire Show.
He was named Reserve Champion at the Ellingham and Ringwood Show, placing just behind stablemate Perehill Magical Moments.
Both donkeys qualified for the national finals, where Viscount claimed the Senior Gelding Class and went on to be named British Champion Gelding for the fifth year in a row.
He then competed against other class winners and took home the Supreme Champion title and trophy.
Perehill Magical Moments earned her place at the finals after wins at the Heckinton Show and Ellingham and Ringwood.
At the national event, she won the Senior Mare class and was named Reserve Mare Champion.
There are severe delays on the A34 between Oxford and Junction 9 for Bicester due to a traffic incident this afternoon on the Bank Holiday Monday.
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