Patricia Routledge Reflects on Keeping Up Appearances and the Iconic Hyacinth Bucket

Dame Patricia Routledge, the legendary actress behind Hyacinth Bucket, has looked back on her time as one of television’s most formidable comedy characters. While Keeping Up Appearances became one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms, it was Patricia’s masterful performance that truly brought Hyacinth to life.

Now, she shares how she first met the character, the joys of working with her fellow cast members, and why she ultimately made the difficult decision to walk away from the show.

When Keeping Up Appearances first came into Patricia’s life, she immediately saw the potential in Roy Clarke’s sharp writing. Hyacinth was unlike any other sitcom character—a woman whose obsessive need to impress and social-climbing aspirations made her both ridiculous and strangely sympathetic.

Bringing Hyacinth to life required careful balance. “She had to be grand and overbearing, but not so much that people stopped believing in her,” Patricia explained. “The trick was making sure that, no matter how absurd she was, you could always see what was driving her.”

It wasn’t long before Hyacinth became a cultural icon, with audiences around the world recognizing her catchphrases and signature mannerisms.

While Hyacinth was at the heart of Keeping Up Appearances, the show’s success was built on a stellar supporting cast. Patricia spoke fondly of her co-stars, particularly Clive Swift, who played her long-suffering husband, Richard.

“Clive was wonderful,” she said. “Richard endured Hyacinth with remarkable patience, and Clive played that beautifully. He knew exactly when to push back, when to give in, and how to create those perfect moments of exasperation.”

She also praised Judy Cornwell as Daisy and Geoffrey Hughes as Onslow, whose laid-back, working-class lifestyle provided the perfect contrast to Hyacinth’s aspirations. “The family dynamic was so strong because we all understood our roles completely,” Patricia recalled.

“Every character added another layer to the chaos.”

Despite the show’s ongoing success, Patricia made the decision to bring Keeping Up Appearances to an end. While the BBC and fans would have loved for it to continue, she felt that the time was right to move on.

“I never wanted it to overstay its welcome,” she explained. “The writing was beginning to repeat itself, and I always believed in stopping at the right moment. I’d rather people say, ‘Oh, aren’t you doing any more?’ rather than, ‘Is that still on?’”

Her decision mirrored that of other great comedians, such as Ronnie Barker, who understood the importance of leaving while at the peak of success.

Although Patricia stepped away from the role, Hyacinth has never truly left her. The show continues to be a favorite worldwide, with reruns introducing new generations to Hyacinth’s hilarious attempts at social climbing.

Even years later, Patricia remains amazed by the show’s enduring popularity. “It’s extraordinary to see how much people still love it,” she said. “Hyacinth may be a nightmare, but she’s a nightmare people can’t get enough of.”