RIP. Patricia Routledge – Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, Dies at 96

Dame Patricia Routledge, best known for her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died at age 96.

Her death was announced by her agent on October 3, 2025.

“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.”

Born Katherine Patricia Routledge on February 17, 1929, she forged a distinguished career in theatre, television, and radio. She became a household name when she starred as Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet”) from 1990 to 1995 in Keeping Up Appearances. The sitcom, centered on Hyacinth’s comic efforts to present an upper-class façade despite her modest origins, became one of the most beloved and enduring British comedies.

Routledge’s talents extended far beyond comedy. She built an acclaimed stage career, working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and earning a Laurence Olivier Award in 1988 for her role in Candide. She won a Tony Award (shared) for Best Actress in a Musical for Darling of the Day in 1968, and her stage and musical theatre credits included works such as Noises Off and The Importance of Being Earnest.

In television, her versatility was demonstrated in dramatic and comedic roles. But Hyacinth Bucket remained her signature role, the social-climbing, ever-polished character whose ambitious pretensions and awkward politeness made audiences both laugh and wince.

Routledge also enjoyed a notable film career, though she was far less prolific on the big screen than on stage and television. She appeared in films such as To Sir, with Love (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, where she played Grace Evans, and in Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968) opposite Jerry Lewis.

In later years she spoke fondly of Keeping Up Appearances’ legacy and her decision to end the series while it was still thriving. Despite stepping away from the show in 1995, Hyacinth’s influence endured in British popular culture and beyond.

Routledge never married and had no children.