Sylvia Anderson dead at 88: Voice of Thunderbirds Lady Penelope loses battle with illness

SYLVIA ANDERSON who is best known for voicing Lady Penelope on the Thunderbirds has passed away aged 88 after battling with a short illness, her family has confirmed.

Sylvia co-created the hit puppet series, which ran from 1965, with her late husband Gerry.

She died in her home in Buckinghamshire her family said.

Her daughter, Dee Anderson, said that she was "a mother and a legend" who would be sadly missed.

She added: "Her intelligence was phenomenal but her creativity and tenacity unchallenged. She was a force in every way."

Born in south London, Sylvia graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in sociology and political science.

She then spent several years working in the US as a journalist before returning to the UK and joining a TV production company, where she met her future husband.

The pair then began to make puppet shows together.

In 1963, the couple had their big break when they came up with the idea for the Thunderbirds, which followed the Tracy family who formed a secret organisation dedicated to saving human life.

The glamorous Lady Penelope was reportedly modelled on Anderson's own appearance and she provided her aristocratic voice to the character.

The success of the series led to two feature films and a toy and merchandise empire.  

Sylvia's family said she had many famous friends, "but would always find time to take care of people who were suffering or in need of support".

She is survived by her daughter Dee and a son, Gerry Anderson Junior, an anaesthetist.

She also leaves four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.