Patricia Routledge, known for Keeping Up Appearances, passes away at 96

Patricia became a household name for her unforgettable portrayal of Hyacinth in Keeping Up Appearances.

Actress Patricia Routledge, widely loved for her role in the hit sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has passed away at the age of 96.

According to Entertainment Weekly, she died peacefully in her sleep following a brief illness.

Her agent, Max Massenbach, confirmed the news in a statement to PA Media. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love,” he shared.

Massenbach went on to add, “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.”

Patricia became a household name for her unforgettable portrayal of Hyacinth in Keeping Up Appearances. Her character, who is well-known for demanding that her last name be pronounced "Bouquet," frequently wears pearls and floral attire, which reflects her frantic attempts to rise in society despite coming from a working-class background.

The sitcom, which received widespread praise, debuted on American television in 1993 after airing in the UK from 1990 to 1995.

Patricia received two BAFTA TV Award nominations for the role, and at the BBC's 60th anniversary awards in 1994, a year after the series concluded, she was chosen as the most popular actress in the United Kingdom.

She later appeared in another successful series, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996–1998), based on David Cook’s novel, further cementing her place as a television favorite.

Paying tribute, Keeping Up Appearances creator Roy Clarke told BBC News, “I’m sorry, as I’m sure so many people will be, to hear of the death of Patricia Routledge. It’s a fortunate coincidence to find your scripts in the hands of so accomplished an actor. She was a singer and it showed in the way she could use her voice without music. It was an instrument. On top of such skills she was also a very fine physical clown. With those talents she took my scripts to the heights. I can only salute her talents and regret their passing.”

Her last television appearance came in 2017 when she fronted a Channel 4 documentary about Beatrix Potter. That same year, she was honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a fitting recognition of her immense contributions to the arts.

Patricia Routledge leaves behind a remarkable legacy of wit, charm, and unmatched talent that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.