Dame Patricia Routledge, best known for her iconic portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, has revealed the one thing she refused to budge on during her time on the beloved BBC sitcom. The show, which ran from 1990 to 1995, remains one of the most popular British comedies, following Hyacinth’s relentless attempts to climb the social ladder while dodging embarrassment from her less refined relatives.
For five series, audiences laughed as Hyacinth tried to impress the upper classes, all while being undermined by her outspoken sister Daisy (Judy Cornwell) and her laid-back, beer-loving brother-in-law Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes). While Hyacinth often boasted about her wealthy sister Violet (Anna Dawson), there was one family member who remained a complete mystery—her son, Sheridan.
Sheridan was never seen on screen, only heard through phone calls with his overbearing mother. Despite Hyacinth’s constant praise of his refined tastes and expensive habits, Richard’s (Clive Swift) exasperated reactions made it clear that their son was more of a financial burden than an aristocratic success.
Some fans may have wondered if Sheridan would eventually appear in the show, but Patricia Routledge was adamant that he should remain unseen. “Over my dead body were you ever going to see Sheridan with his nice boyfriend called Tarquin who made the curtains for their little home,” she said in a recent interview, laughing at how the character was always left to the imagination.
Speaking on Dame Patricia Routledge Remembers...Keeping Up Appearances on BBC Four, she shared how much she loved those comedic phone calls. “Oh, I loved the phone calls from Sheridan! And also, particularly watching Richard’s reaction. They were wonderful touches, and everybody already knew exactly what Sheridan looked like in their own minds.”
Although Keeping Up Appearances was a huge success, Patricia made the decision to walk away after five series. The BBC wasn’t keen on ending the show, but she believed it was the right time.
“I thought the writer was beginning to recycle old ideas,” she explained. “And remembering the glorious Ronnie Barker, he always stopped when he was at the height of something. He always left with people saying, ‘Oh, aren’t you doing any more?’ rather than people saying, ‘Is that still on?’”
For Patricia, it was important to leave while the show was still fresh. “That’s the place to be, really, and I had other adventures to explore. I’m an actress, and I wanted to take on the stories of other people.”
Even decades after its final episode, Keeping Up Appearances continues to find new audiences. Its humor, timeless performances, and unforgettable characters ensure that it remains a favorite around the world.
Patricia admitted she is still “amazed at the enormity of its success” and finds it incredible that it is “still being shown throughout the world.” While she has since moved on to other projects, her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket remains one of the most celebrated roles in British television history.
