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Sylvia Anderson has Died

Sylvia Anderson, during production of Space 1999Sylvia 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.

Sylvia Anderson entertains the audience

“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.lady-penelope

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

Read the news BBC’s story story here.