Sylvia Anderson, writer, television and film producer – but probably best known the world over as the voice of Thunderbirds’ Lady Penelope – has died at the age of 88, following a short illness.
On hearing the news, Fanderson chairman Nick Williams paid tribute to her:
“Sylvia’s talents and contribution to the AP Films/Century 21 productions have always been acknowledged by Fanderson members, and I was delighted that she could experience this by a long-overdue standing ovation from hundreds of fans at our convention The Future Is Fantastic! in 2015.
“For many years the club had been unable to make contact with Sylvia, and I was so pleased to make amends for this a couple of years ago when we finally met. She was a gracious hostess, full of fun stories and lots of laughter.”
Together with her former husband Gerry Anderson, Sylvia co-created and produced some of the best known family entertainment, including Stingray, UFO and Space:1999. Whilst Gerry was more interested in the technical side of film-making, Sylvia brought humanity and an avant-garde fashion sense to their ventures. But Sylvia will always be best remembered for her puppet creation in Thunderbirds – the aristocratic London agent of International Rescue, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward.
Following the breakdown of her marriage to Gerry, Sylvia Anderson forged a new career for herself by scouting out new talent as Head of Programming in the UK for the Home Box Office cable network. She had recently co-created and was developing a new television series, The Last Station, with her daughter Dee. And just last year she was re-introduced to the world of International Rescue when she recorded the voice of Lady Penelope’s Great Aunt Sylvia for ITV’s new series Thunderbirds Are Go.
Sylvia leaves a daughter, Dee Anderson, and a son, Gerry Anderson Jr.
Fanderson will pay a full tribute to Sylvia Anderson in FAB 83, due in April 2016