Patricia Routledge, famed for her role as the pretentious socialite Hyacinth Bucket in the cherished British television series “Keeping Up Appearances,” has passed away at the age of 96.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Dame Patricia Routledge, who peacefully departed in her sleep this morning, surrounded by loved ones,” her representative stated in a message to the PA Media news agency.
“Even at the remarkable age of 96, Dame Patricia’s enthusiasm for her craft and her connection with live audiences remained strong, as new generations of fans have discovered her through her iconic television performances. She will be profoundly missed by her close friends and her devoted fans worldwide.”
Originally from the northwest of England near Liverpool, Routledge made her mark in theater both in the U.K. and the U.S. She earned a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1968 for her role in “Darling of the Day,” and two decades later, she secured an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for “Candide.”
However, she became widely recognized for her role on television, particularly as the domineering and flamboyantly dressed Bucket — which her character notoriously insisted was pronounced “Bouquet” — in the series “Keeping Up Appearances,” which aired from 1990 to 1995.
Though it only lasted for five seasons, the show left a significant mark and was once the most successful British series on an international scale. It captivated large audiences in countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and in 2016, it was recognized as BBC Worldwide’s most exported TV program ever.
In 1991, Routledge received a British Comedy Award for her performance as Bucket and was later nominated for two BAFTA TV Awards in 1992 and 1993.
After “Keeping Up Appearances,” she headlined the crime drama series “Hetty Wainthropp Investigates,” playing a retired woman with a talent for solving mysteries, which aired from 1996 to 1998.
In 2017, Queen Elizabeth II honored Routledge with the title of dame for her contributions to the arts and charity.
