Oh no! A bit of a tearful moment 😢 Like many of you I had a blessed growing up with The Good Life. Yes, that Christmas special! Her desperation of not joining in with the others and giving it a go with her paper hat - but purely the Telegraph! My first pedigree Birman cat I joyfully named Margo ❤️
I loved this show and she was the absolute highlight and also saw To the Manor Born as a kid. Magnificent and unforgettable. Thank you for this lovely read x
Loved her in a one season show Sweet Sixteen, she was a builder sixteen years older than her architect who became her love interest. Her fumbling to explain the situation, to herself as well as others, was a rattled Margo, so fun to watch.
My mother was Margo in every way. Smart, quick, funny, perfect elocution (courtesy of RADA), incredible outfit choices (ex model), could make men whither with a look or a perfectly timed jibe, immaculate taste. In fact, she was actually given some Koi Carp called Penelope and Keith by one of her many admirers. We used to yell 'mum's on the telly' when To The Manor Born came on.
She died suddenly two years ago and now Dame Penelope has gone too.
I was genuinely sad to read of her passing and tuned into the episode played in her memory on BBC2 yesterday evening. My other half, immersed in the World Cup, came through to the snug to see what I was chuckling at. Margo was glorious to watch as a 14 year old and gorgeously, timelessly funny aged 63! And my, she was a looker!
Oh I l love this, what a perfect tribute. A few years ago a friend of mine had a fancy dress birthday party where the theme was just her initials - K and M. I of course went as M for Margo and the fact that, apart from a string of charity shop-purchased 70s pearls, I was able to just wear my own clothes (a polyester 70s maxi dress in this case) is a testament to her lasting influence on my life.
You captured her attitude and voice perfectly in this piece. She will be missed.
Thank you for reading!
Margot Leadbetter. Legend!
Excellent essay. Like many Brits of a certain age, I still go through life seeing Margos all over the place.
Any Waitrose in the vicinity of the Cotswolds will be teeming with Margos.
A wonderful actor impeccable timing. In our family we still ask Has Christmas been delivered?
Haha I love that
In every dilemma I ask myself ‘What would Margo do?’
Oh yes, soooo often.
Oh no! A bit of a tearful moment 😢 Like many of you I had a blessed growing up with The Good Life. Yes, that Christmas special! Her desperation of not joining in with the others and giving it a go with her paper hat - but purely the Telegraph! My first pedigree Birman cat I joyfully named Margo ❤️
Excellent choice!
If I ever get another dog she may well be a Margo!
I loved this show and she was the absolute highlight and also saw To the Manor Born as a kid. Magnificent and unforgettable. Thank you for this lovely read x
Thank you for reading!
Loved her in a one season show Sweet Sixteen, she was a builder sixteen years older than her architect who became her love interest. Her fumbling to explain the situation, to herself as well as others, was a rattled Margo, so fun to watch.
I'd never heard of Sweet Sixteen so looked it up and watched a bit of the pilot episode. Quite ahead of its time!
Beautifully written. She was a light to us all. Her announciation perfect. Her attitude non pariel, her taste perfect.
The joy last night watching a zillion clips brought me to tears of laughter.
So pleased I was there at the beginning.💕😂
Thank you for reading!
She was an uncompromising force of nature. As a gay man I just love them and it’s affirming to see you do too.
Kitty “I’ve walked the length and breath of Downing Street and never once found a decent wool shop”
Julie Walters as the am dram director “bit of hush please”
Dolly Belfield from dinner ladies “Men can’t whisk. It’s the testosterone.”
And Margo.
Thank you. This tribute resonated and made me smile.
Now where are the olive forks…
Hahaha icons all. Thanks for reading.
You’ve made me want to watch the re-runs. I’m sure Margot would be appalled to know she’s on YouTube!
She would find computers terribly déclassé, wouldn’t she? I bet she’d love screaming down her mobile at Fortnum’s customer services though.
Ha! So true
What a lovely article.
My mother was Margo in every way. Smart, quick, funny, perfect elocution (courtesy of RADA), incredible outfit choices (ex model), could make men whither with a look or a perfectly timed jibe, immaculate taste. In fact, she was actually given some Koi Carp called Penelope and Keith by one of her many admirers. We used to yell 'mum's on the telly' when To The Manor Born came on.
She died suddenly two years ago and now Dame Penelope has gone too.
Today is a little greyer.
Your mother sounds like a formidable legend. Sorry she’s no longer with us.
This is a perfect tribute, Justin!
Ah that’s very kind, thank you
Loved this. Margot is and always was my comedy idol. Never forget her AmDram Sound of Music - ‘Julie Andrews played my part in the film’
It was Margo’s solar system and we were mere clumps of rock orbiting around her.
I was genuinely sad to read of her passing and tuned into the episode played in her memory on BBC2 yesterday evening. My other half, immersed in the World Cup, came through to the snug to see what I was chuckling at. Margo was glorious to watch as a 14 year old and gorgeously, timelessly funny aged 63! And my, she was a looker!
The windbreak wars. It’ll be on iPlayer I assume. ☺️
I’ll watch it over lunch! Cheers.
She was! I didn’t see the repeat; which episode did they show in tribute?
Oh I l love this, what a perfect tribute. A few years ago a friend of mine had a fancy dress birthday party where the theme was just her initials - K and M. I of course went as M for Margo and the fact that, apart from a string of charity shop-purchased 70s pearls, I was able to just wear my own clothes (a polyester 70s maxi dress in this case) is a testament to her lasting influence on my life.
Hahahaha. Thank you!