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.”
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