Patricia Routledge Dies: ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ Star Was 96
She was not on the list.
Patricia Routledge, the British sitcom icon, has passed away. She was 96.
The actress was best known for her role as snobby social
climber Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, the BBC comedy that ran for
five seasons between 1990 and 1995.
Her agent said in a statement to the PA Media news agency: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love.
“Even at 96-years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as new generations of audiences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles.
“She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by
her devoted admirers around the world.”
Keeping Up Appearances saw Routledge play Hyacinth Bucket, who insisted her surname was pronounced ‘Bouquet’ as part of the pretense she was upper-middle class, despite secretly being working class. The character was unnecessarily rude about neighbors and constantly attempted to impress those around her, with husband Richard (Cyril Swift) usually on the receiving end of her temper when she failed.
The role bagged her two BAFTA TV nominations, and a year after the series finished, she was voted the UK’s most popular actress at the BBC’s 60th anniversary awards.
Born in 1929, Routledge had begun her career as a stage actress at the Liverpool Playhouse in the early 1950s and went on to act in the West End and on Broadway. She TV career really started when she began delivering monologues written by British comedy legends Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood in BBC series Talking Heads. She was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for Bennett’s Talking Heads: A Lady of Letters in 1988.
She also starred in crime series Hetty Wainthropp
Investigates in 1996-1998, and her most recent TV appearance was fronting a
Channl 4 documentary on Beatrix Potter in 2017.
“We are so sad to hear of the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge,” said BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie. “She was an actor of remarkable range, but her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances has to be one of the most iconic performances in British comedy.
“She took a character on the page and gave her such truth,
precision and warmth that Hyacinth became part of the national conversation;
instantly recognisable, endlessly quotable, and loved around the world.
Whatever she did, she brought impeccable craft, and in doing so inspired
generations of writers, performers and audiences. Dame Patricia made millions
laugh and left a legacy that will always be remembered with gratitude and
admiration.”
Daughter of Catherine and Isaac Routledge. Her father was a
haberdasher, and, during WWII, the family lived weeks at a time in the basement
of her father's shop. She attended Birkenhead High School, where she sang in
the choir and ran the Sunday School. She studied English at Liverpool
University, and, after graduation, worked without pay at the Liverpool
Playhouse. She was asked to join the company, and she later studied at Old Vic
Theatre School in Bristol. She then moved to London, where she built an impressive
stage career over the next several years, also appearing on Broadway 1966-1968.
Patricia has worked in TV since the early 1950s, most recently in Keeping Up
Appearances (1990). She also recorded an album, "Presenting Patricia
Routledge", and worked in film and radio. She never married or had
children, said that she would never retire, and lived in Kensington and Surrey
when not working.
Actress
Patricia Routledge and Robin Stevens in Blips (2004)
Blips
TV Series
Narrator (voice)
2004–2005
4 episodes
Victoria Hamilton, Elizabeth Hurran, and Alexandra Milman in
In Search of the Brontës (2003)
In Search of the Brontës
8.0
TV Movie
Narrator
2003
Patricia Routledge in Anybody's Nightmare (2001)
Anybody's Nightmare
7.0
TV Movie
Sheila Bowler
2001
Alan Bennett in Talking Heads 2 (1998)
Talking Heads 2
8.6
TV Mini Series
Miss Fozzard
1998
1 episode
Dominic Monaghan and Patricia Routledge in Hetty Wainthropp
Investigates (1995)
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
7.6
TV Series
Hetty Wainthropp
1996–1998
27 episodes
Patricia Routledge in Keeping Up Appearances (1990)
Keeping Up Appearances
7.9
TV Series
Hyacinth
1990–1995
44 episodes
Hildegard of Bingen (1994)
Hildegard of Bingen
7.8
TV Movie
Hildegard von Bingen
1994
Keeping Up Appearances TV Licence Promo
7.2
TV Short
Hyacinth
1994
Second Chance UK Infomercial
TV Short
Hyacinth
1994
Noel's House Party (1991)
Noel's House Party
6.3
TV Series
Hyacinth Bucket
1993
1 episode
The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (1992)
The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends
8.3
TV Series
Cousin Ribby (voice)
1993
2 episodes
Jackanory (1965)
Jackanory
7.2
TV Series
Storyteller
1991–1992
6 episodes
Bookmark (1983)
Bookmark
5.3
TV Series
Barbara Pym
1992
1 episode
Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in Alas Smith & Jones
(1984)
Alas Smith & Jones
7.4
TV Series
1990
1 episode
Missing Persons (1990)
Missing Persons
6.5
TV Movie
Hetty Wainthropp
1990
Let's Face the Music (1989)
Let's Face the Music
TV Series
1989
3 episodes
First and Last (1989)
First and Last
8.1
TV Movie
Ivy
1989
Sophia and Constance (1988)
Sophia and Constance
TV Series
Mrs. Baines
1988
3 episodes
Talking Heads (1988)
Talking Heads
8.7
TV Mini Series
Miss Irene Ruddock
1988
1 episode
Tales of the Unexpected (1979)
Tales of the Unexpected
7.6
TV Series
Milly Dobson
1988
1 episode
Bernard Cribbins, Rosemary Leach, Patricia Routledge,
Prunella Scales, Peter Vaughan, and Timothy West in When We Are Married (1987)
When We Are Married
8.1
TV Movie
Maria Helliwell
1987
Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985)
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV
8.0
TV Series
Kitty
1985–1986
5 episodes
Marjorie and Men
TV Series
Marjorie Belton
1985
6 episodes
Home Video
TV Movie
1984
Dave King and Patricia Routledge in Keep Off the Grass
(1983)
Keep Off the Grass
6.0
Short
Bag Lady
1983
The Beggar's Opera (1983)
The Beggar's Opera
6.2
TV Movie
Mrs. Peachum
1983
Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett in The Two Ronnies (1971)
The Two Ronnies
7.8
TV Series
Madame Vivian Bultitude
1983
1 episode
Marks (1982)
Objects of Affection
7.7
TV Series
Miss Schofield
1982
1 episode
The Pirates of Penzance (1980)
The Pirates of Penzance
7.9
TV Movie
Ruth
1980
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980)
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb
4.8
TV Movie
'Posh' Lady
1980
Play for Today (1970)
Play for Today
7.8
TV Series
ATS Officer
1980
1 episode
Don Henderson, Diane Keen, Peter Sallis, and Don Warrington
in Crown Court (1972)
Crown Court
7.3
TV Series
Rita FinchDr. Barbara Baxter
1976–1979
6 episodes
Doris and Doreen (1978)
Doris and Doreen
6.9
TV Movie
Doreen
1978
BBC2 Play of the Week (1977)
BBC2 Play of the Week
7.4
TV Series
Miss Prothero
1978
1 episode
John Ronane and Patricia Routledge in The Cost of Loving
(1977)
The Cost of Loving
TV Series
Sarah Taplow
1977
1 episode
Jubilee (1977)
Jubilee
6.3
TV Series
Jane
1977
1 episode
Nigel Havers in Nicholas Nickleby (1977)
Nicholas Nickleby
7.2
TV Mini Series
Madame Mantalini
1977
5 episodes
CBS Children's Film Festival (1967)
CBS Children's Film Festival
8.6
TV Series
Mrs. Janice Wentworth
1976
1 episode
BBC Play of the Month (1965)
BBC Play of the Month
7.0
TV Series
Annie ParkerDorine
1971–1975
2 episodes
John Cleese and Bernard Cribbins in More Awkward Customers
(1975)
More Awkward Customers
7.4
Video
Awkward Customer: Mrs. Camel
1975
David Copperfield (1974)
David Copperfield
7.3
TV Mini Series
Mrs. Micawber
1974–1975
4 episodes
Richard Coleman, Wendy Craig, Robin Davies, Maxine Gordon,
and David Parfitt in ...And Mother Makes Five (1974)
...And Mother Makes Five
6.9
TV Series
Mrs. Fletcher
1974
2 episodes
Steptoe and Son (1962)
Steptoe and Son
7.8
TV Series
Madame Fontana (Beryl Duddy)
1974
1 episode
Affairs of the Heart (1974)
Affairs of the Heart
7.7
TV Series
Mrs. Meldrum
1974
1 episode
Ooh La La! (1968)
Ooh La La!
6.2
TV Series
Lucienne Homenides de Histangau
1973
1 episode
Tim Brooke-Taylor and Madeline Smith in His and Hers (1970)
His and Hers
5.8
TV Series
Myrtle Waller
1972
1 episode
Girl Stroke Boy (1971)
Girl Stroke Boy
6.1
Pamela Hovendon
1971
Doctor at Large (1971)
Doctor at Large
7.0
TV Series
Audrey Watt
1971
1 episode
Clive Francis and Ciaran Madden in Sense and Sensibility
(1971)
Sense and Sensibility
6.5
TV Series
Mrs. Jennings
1971
4 episodes
The Adventures of Hal 5 (1958)
Egghead's Robot
5.1
Mrs. Janice Wentworth
1970
Richard Beckinsale, Freddie Fletcher, Arthur Lowe, Jack
Rosenthal, and Paula Wilcox in ITV Playhouse (1967)
ITV Playhouse
7.1
TV Series
RoseFern
1970
1 episode
Armchair Theatre (1956)
Armchair Theatre
7.6
TV Series
Miss FurlingNew mother
1961–1970
2 episodes
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
6.3
Mrs. Featherstone
1969
Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna
Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
6.0
TV Series
Hazel Day
1969
1 episode
Lock Up Your Daughters! (1969)
Lock Up Your Daughters!
5.0
Nurse
1969
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968)
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
5.6
Miss Reece
1968
Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968)
Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River
4.7
Lucille Beatty
1968
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1968)
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia
5.3
Mrs Woolle
1968
Androcles and the Lion (1967)
Androcles and the Lion
7.0
TV Movie
Megaera, Androcles' Wife
1967
Hayley Mills and Trevor Howard in A Matter of Innocence
(1967)
A Matter of Innocence
6.1
Miss Gudgeon
1967
Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
To Sir, with Love
7.6
Clinty Clintridge
1967
Wait Until Dark
Sara Harbuck (voice)
1967
Donald Pleasence and Patricia Routledge in The Good &
Faithful Servant (1967)
Seven Deadly Virtues
TV Series
Mrs. Vealfoy
1967
1 episode
Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965)
Thirty-Minute Theatre
7.0
TV Series
Beryl Turner
1967
1 episode
NET Playhouse (1964)
NET Playhouse
7.1
TV Series
Queen Victoria
1966
1 episode
ITV Play of the Week (1955)
ITV Play of the Week
6.6
TV Series
Alice ClayMaggie Hobson
1956–1966
4 episodes
Where I Live
TV Movie
Jessy Turner
1965
Gaslight Theatre
TV Series
'Our Mary' - Daughter of John Hope
1965
1 episode
No Hiding Place (1959)
No Hiding Place
7.4
TV Series
Pat
1965
1 episode
Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life
7.0
TV Series
Irish Mother
1965
2 episodes
Victoria Regina (1964)
Victoria Regina
TV Mini Series
Queen Victoria
1964
4 episodes
Z Cars (1962)
Z Cars
7.1
TV Series
Madge Kenton
1962
1 episode
Peter Adamson, Jean Alexander, Johnny Briggs, Margot Bryant,
and Doris Speed in Coronation Street (1960)
Coronation Street
5.6
TV Series
Sylvia Snape
1961
5 episodes
The Brink
TV Movie
Pat Rapper
1961
Bob Dylan, David Warner, Ursula Howells, Reg Lye, and
Maureen Pryor in The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963)
BBC Sunday-Night Play
8.6
TV Series
Sylvia
1960
1 episode
Theatre Night (1957)
Theatre Night
8.4
TV Series
Aunt Mabel
1957
1 episode
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre
7.4
TV Series
Nun
1954
1 episode
Soundtrack
Patricia Routledge in Keeping Up Appearances (1990)
Keeping Up Appearances
7.9
TV Series
performer: "There'll Always Be An
England"performer: "Happy Talk"performer: "People",
"You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" (uncredited, uncredited, uncredited,
uncredited) ...
1991–1995
4 episodes
Bernard Cribbins, Rosemary Leach, Patricia Routledge,
Prunella Scales, Peter Vaughan, and Timothy West in When We Are Married (1987)
When We Are Married
8.1
TV Movie
performer: "When We Are Married"
1987
Steptoe and Son (1962)
Steptoe and Son
7.8
TV Series
performer: "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am"
(uncredited)
1974
1 episode
Ed Sullivan in The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)
The Ed Sullivan Show
7.9
TV Series
performer: "Not On Your Nellie"
1968
1 episode
Self
Martin Scorsese, David Harewood, Zoë Wanamaker, David
Olusoga, and Gemma Arterton in Remembers... (2022)
Remembers...
TV Series
SelfSelf - HyacinthSelf - Barbara Pym (as Dame Patricia
Routledge) ...
2024
4 episodes
Judy Cornwell, Geoffrey Hughes, Patricia Routledge, and
Clive Swift in Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs (2023)
Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs
7.8
TV Movie
Self (as Dame Patricia Routledge)
2023
Granada Reports (1980)
Granada Reports
6.2
TV Series
Self - Actress (as Dame Patricia Routledge)
2018
1 episode
Songs of Praise (1961)
Songs of Praise
4.1
TV Series
Self (as Dame Patricia Routledge)
2018
1 episode
Top of the Box (2018)
Top of the Box
TV Mini Series
SelfSelf - Hyacinth Bucket
2018
1 episode
The One Show (2006)
The One Show
3.6
TV Series
Self
2018
1 episode
Joe Orton Laid Bare (2017)
Joe Orton Laid Bare
7.4
TV Movie
Self
2017
Studio 10 (2013)
Studio 10
4.1
TV Series
Self
2017
1 episode
Beatrix Potter with Patricia Routledge (2016)
Beatrix Potter with Patricia Routledge
8.3
TV Movie
Self - Patron of the Beatrix Potter Society
2016
Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms (2015)
Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms
5.0
TV Series
SelfSelf - Hyacinth Bucket
2015
1 episode
One Plus One (2011)
One Plus One
6.8
TV Series
Self - Guest
2014
1 episode
The Greatest Christmas Comedy Moments
TV Movie
SelfSelf - Hyacinth
2008
The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007)
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
3.7
TV Series
Self
2008
1 episode
The Story of Jackanory
TV Movie
Self - 'Jackanory' Storyteller
2007
Cat Deeley, Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, and Ben Shephard
in This Morning (1988)
This Morning
4.3
TV Series
Self
2007
1 episode
A Taste of My Life
8.0
TV Series
Self
2006
1 episode
Patricia Routledge and Robin Stevens in Blips (2004)
Blips
TV Series
Self - Narrator
2005
1 episode
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
7.3
TV Movie
Self
2005
The Funny Ladies of British Comedy
7.2
TV Movie
Self
2004
The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2004
TV Special
Self
2004
GMTV (1993)
GMTV
3.9
TV Series
Self
2004
1 episode
Comedy Connections (2003)
Comedy Connections
7.5
TV Series
Self
2004
1 episode
Patricia Routledge in A Conversation with Patricia Routledge
(2004)
A Conversation with Patricia Routledge
Video
Self
2004
Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute
8.5
TV Special
Self
2004
The Sitcom Story
TV Series
Self
2003
1 episode
Breakfast (2000)
Breakfast
5.2
TV Series
Self
2001
1 episode
Terry Wogan in Auntie's Bloomers (1991)
Auntie's Bloomers
5.4
TV Series
SelfSelf - HyacinthSelf - Acting Role (uncredited)
1991–2000
3 episodes
Funny Women (1997)
Funny Women
6.9
TV Series
Self
1998
1 episode
Michael Parkinson in Parkinson (1971)
Parkinson
7.3
TV Series
Self
1998
1 episode
Natural World (1983)
Natural World
8.6
TV Series
Self - Narrator (voice)
1997
1 episode
Heroes of Comedy (1992)
Heroes of Comedy
6.7
TV Series
Self (as Patricia Routledge OBE)
1997
1 episode
Children in Need Special (1995)
Children in Need Special
8.1
TV Special
Self - Hyacinth Bucket (segment "Keeping Up
Appearances")
1995
Pebble Mill at One (1972)
Pebble Mill at One
6.3
TV Series
Self
1993
1 episode
Summer Scene
TV Series
Self
1992
1 episode
The Laurence Olivier Awards 1992 (1992)
The Laurence Olivier Awards 1992
TV Special
Self - Winner, 'Talking Heads'
1992
Aspel & Company (1984)
Aspel & Company
6.8
TV Series
Self
1992
1 episode
Eamonn Andrews in This Is Your Life (1955)
This Is Your Life
6.4
TV Series
Self - Filmed Tribute
1980–1992
2 episodes
Five to Eleven (1986)
Five to Eleven
TV Series
Self - Presenter
1988–1990
17 episodes
Terry Wogan in Wogan (1982)
Wogan
6.1
TV Series
Self
1989
1 episode
When I Get to Heaven
TV Series
Self - Interviewee
1989
1 episode
Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley in BAFTA British Academy
Awards (1989)
BAFTA British Academy Awards
TV Special
Self
1989
Victoria Wood in An Audience with Victoria Wood (1988)
An Audience with Victoria Wood
8.3
TV Special
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
1988
Alastair Sim: A Qualified Fool
TV Special
Self
1983
Jackanory (1965)
Jackanory
7.2
TV Series
Self - Storyteller
1973
5 episodes
Vincent Price in Vincent Price Is in the Country (1971)
Vincent Price Is in the Country
TV Movie
Self
1971
The 22nd Annual Tony Awards (1968)
The 22nd Annual Tony Awards
8.2
TV Special
Self - Winner
1968
Ed Sullivan in The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)
The Ed Sullivan Show
7.9
TV Series
Self - Audience Bow
1968
2 episodes
Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
(1962)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
8.5
TV Series
Self - Guest
1966
1 episode
The Eamonn Andrews Show (1964)
The Eamonn Andrews Show
7.8
TV Series
Self
1966
1 episode
Archive Footage
Martin Scorsese, David Harewood, Zoë Wanamaker, David
Olusoga, and Gemma Arterton in Remembers... (2022)
Remembers...
TV Series
Self - Hyacinth (archive footage, uncredited)
2024
1 episode
Annette Crosbie and Richard Wilson in One Foot in the Grave:
30 Years of Laughs (2023)
One Foot in the Grave: 30 Years of Laughs
6.9
TV Movie
Self - Hyacinth Bucket (archive footage, uncredited)
2023
Bij van Duin op de achterbank
7.1
TV Series
Self - Hyacinth at Keeping Up Appearances (archive footage)
2023
1 episode
Grace Dent in What We Were Watching (2018)
What We Were Watching
6.5
TV Series
Self - Hyacinth BucketSelf - Hetty Wainthropp (archive
footage, uncredited, archive footage, uncredited)
2020–2021
2 episodes
Victoria Wood: The Secret List (2020)
Victoria Wood: The Secret List
7.4
TV Series
Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2020
2 episodes
Victoria Wood in Her Own Words
8.0
TV Movie
Self - Audience Member (archive footage, uncredited)
2020
Coronation Street: Stories That Gripped the Nation (2020)
Coronation Street: Stories That Gripped the Nation
6.5
TV Series
Self - Sylvia Snape (archive footage, as Dame Patricia
Routledge)
2020
1 episode
The Secret Story of the BBC Christmas Tapes (2018)
The Secret Story of the BBC Christmas Tapes
6.5
TV Movie
Self (archive footage)
2018
Our Friend Victoria (2017)
Our Friend Victoria
8.1
TV Series
Self - Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2017
3 episodes
Kitty's Wonderful Use of Language
Video
Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2017
Let's Do It: A Tribute to Victoria Wood (2016)
Let's Do It: A Tribute to Victoria Wood
8.6
TV Special
Self - Audience MemberSelf - Kitty (archive footage,
uncredited)
2016
Comedy Bloopers
TV Movie
Hyacinth Bucket (archive footage, uncredited)
2015
Patricia Routledge
Video
Hyacinth (archive footage, uncredited)
2011
Alan Bennett Interview
Video
Self - Various Characters (archive footage, uncredited)
2009
Victoria Wood: Seen on TV (2009)
Victoria Wood: Seen on TV
7.9
TV Movie
Self - Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2009
Stars on the Street (2009)
Stars on the Street
6.2
TV Movie
Self - Sylvia Snape (archive footage, uncredited)
2009
Judy Cornwell, Geoffrey Hughes, Patricia Routledge, and
Clive Swift in Keeping Up Appearances: Life Lessons from Onslow (2008)
Keeping Up Appearances: Life Lessons from Onslow
8.2
Video
Hyacinth Bucket (archive footage, uncredited)
2008
The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (2006)
The Smith & Jones Sketchbook
6.7
TV Series
Brenda Helm (archive footage)
2006
1 episode
Comedy Connections (2003)
Comedy Connections
7.5
TV Series
Self - Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2006
1 episode
What Did ITV Do for Me? (2005)
What Did ITV Do for Me?
4.4
TV Movie
Self - Audience Member (archive footage, uncredited)
2005
Greatest TV Comedy Moments (2005)
Greatest TV Comedy Moments
5.3
TV Movie
Self - Hyacinth Bucket (archive footage, uncredited)
2005
Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute (2005)
Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute
6.0
TV Special
Self - Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
2005
Total Cops
7.4
TV Movie
Self - Hetty Wainthropp (archive footage)
2003
The Greatest (1998)
The Greatest
6.0
TV Series
Self - Hyacinth Bucket (archive footage, uncredited)
2001
1 episode
Best of British
5.0
TV Series
Self - Kitty (archive footage, uncredited)
1998
1 episode
Patricia Routledge in The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket (1997)
The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket
7.9
TV Movie
Hyacinth (archive footage)
1997
Terry Wogan in Auntie's Bloomers (1991)
Auntie's Bloomers
5.4
TV Series
Self (archive footage)
1994–1995
2 episodes
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders in French and Saunders
(1987)
French and Saunders
7.6
TV Series
Hyacinth (archive footage, uncredited)
1995
1 episode
Nicholas Craig, the Naked Actor (1990)
Nicholas Craig, the Naked Actor
7.3
TV Series
Self (archive footage, uncredited)
1990
1 episode
