Sylvia Anderson passes away aged 88

It is Cult Faction’s sad duty to report that Lady Penelope herself, Sylvia Anderson, has passed away at the age of 88 years old at her Berkshire home following a short illness.

Her daughter Dee Anderson described her as “a mother and a legend” whose “intelligence was phenomenal but her creativity and tenacity unchallenged. She was a force in every way.”

Her former husband Gerry Anderson died in 2012 after suffering from Alzheimer’s. The two were responsible for introducing “supermarionation” to the world through Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and all their other shows.

Nick Williams, Chairman of Fanderson – a fan club dedicated to the work of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson – told BBC Breakfast she was a “huge influence” on the entertainment industry.

“She was one of the first really prominent women in the film and TV industry,” he said, adding that Anderson leaves behind “an amazing legacy of fantastic television, really groundbreaking entertainment.”

Rae Earl, writer of the My Mad Fat Diary television series, tweeted: “Sylvia Anderson was responsible for some of my favourite TV.”