For five seasons, Dame Patricia Routledge captivated audiences as the unforgettable Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet," of course) in the beloved BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. The series, which aired from 1990 to 1995, became one of Britain’s most iconic comedies, chronicling the desperate—and often disastrous—attempts of Hyacinth to climb the social ladder.
With a devoted fan base that continues to enjoy reruns decades later, Keeping Up Appearances remains a standout in television history. But behind the scenes, Patricia Routledge had strong creative opinions about her character and the show’s direction.
In a recent BBC interview reflecting on her career, the now 95-year-old actress revealed that there was one crucial aspect of Keeping Up Appearances that she absolutely refused to change—Sheridan Bucket’s unseen presence.
Throughout the series, Hyacinth frequently referenced her beloved son, Sheridan, with nothing but pride. In her mind, he was a cultured, sophisticated young man, always up to something artistic or intellectual—whether it was his studies in needlework or his friendships with "dear Tarquin," his unseen yet heavily implied boyfriend.
However, Sheridan was never actually shown on screen. Viewers only ever heard about him through Hyacinth’s phone calls, in which he frequently asked for money while never actually paying her a visit.
Despite fans’ curiosity about what Sheridan might look like and how he truly behaved outside of his mother’s narrative, Patricia Routledge remained adamant that he should never appear on the show.
“Over my dead body were you ever going to see Sheridan,” she declared in her interview. “Everybody knows what Sheridan looks like.”
Her reasoning was clear—the comedy worked better when the audience was left to imagine Sheridan themselves. His presence was funnier as an unseen force, allowing viewers to project their own interpretations of his character while enjoying Richard’s exasperated expressions as he overheard the conversations.
Sheridan’s absence became one of the show’s most brilliant running gags, proving that sometimes, what is left unseen can be more powerful than what is shown.
Aside from protecting the integrity of her character’s unseen son, Patricia also played a significant role in deciding when Keeping Up Appearances should conclude.
After five successful seasons, the BBC was eager to continue the show. However, Patricia believed it had run its course.
She explained that she chose to walk away because she felt the scripts were beginning to recycle old ideas, and she didn’t want the show to overstay its welcome.
"I thought the writer was beginning to recycle old ideas," she said. "And also, remembering the glorious Ronnie Barker, he always stopped when he was at the height of something and he always left with people saying, 'Oh, aren't you doing any more?' Rather than people saying, 'Is that still on?'"
It was a decision that the BBC reportedly was not thrilled about, but it ultimately preserved the legacy of Keeping Up Appearances. Patricia was determined to leave while the show was still beloved and fresh, rather than risk it losing its charm.
Although Keeping Up Appearances made Patricia Routledge a household name, she was never one to be confined to a single role. She viewed herself, first and foremost, as an actress with a passion for storytelling, and she was eager to pursue new challenges.
“I'm an actress, and I wanted to take on the stories of other people,” she explained. True to her word, after leaving Keeping Up Appearances, she took on various roles in drama, musical theatre, and radio. She continued to prove her range, reinforcing that her talents extended far beyond the world of sitcoms.
Despite Patricia’s departure and the show’s earlier-than-expected ending, Keeping Up Appearances has remained a global favorite. More than two decades later, its humor still resonates with audiences, and Hyacinth Bucket remains one of the most recognizable characters in British television history.
Patricia herself continues to be amazed by the show’s ongoing success. Even at 95, she remains a respected figure in British entertainment, known not only for her comedic genius but also for her unwavering commitment to artistic integrity.
Her refusal to let Sheridan appear on-screen or let Keeping Up Appearances drag on unnecessarily speaks to her dedication to quality storytelling. While some actors might have bent to studio demands, Patricia Routledge stood firm, ensuring that her work would be remembered as clever, sharp, and timeless.
Patricia’s decision to preserve Sheridan’s mystery and to end the show on a high note is a testament to her deep understanding of comedy and television. Some sitcoms introduce new gimmicks or force storylines long past their prime, but Keeping Up Appearances remains as fresh and funny today as it was in the 1990s, thanks to Patricia’s thoughtful approach.
Her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket will forever be iconic, a masterclass in character comedy that still delights audiences across generations. Whether she was commanding people to pronounce “Bucket” as “Bouquet,” issuing rigid tea-drinking etiquette, or enthusiastically answering the phone to Sheridan, Patricia Routledge’s performance ensured that Hyacinth became one of the most unforgettable characters in television history.
Even after all these years, Sheridan remains unseen, Keeping Up Appearances remains timeless, and Patricia Routledge’s decision-making remains a brilliant stroke of comedic genius.
