Patricia Routledge: The Unrecognisable Hyacinth Bucket at 95!
Patricia Routledge, best known as Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances, looks surprisingly different at 95 after years away from acting. Recently seen at a royal event, she shared insights about the show’s famed royal fans. Also, she has received multiple honours for her contributions to entertainment. Sadly, Josephine Towson, who played her neighbour, passed away in 2022, but the show’s legacy continues to entertain worldwide.
After 30 years since the finale of the classic sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia Routledge, who famously portrayed the snooty Hyacinth Bucket, is back in the limelight, albeit looking a tad unrecognisable! At 95, she was spotted at a royal event with Queen Camilla, and let’s just say, she’s aged like a fine wine—sophisticated and fabulous! Patricia recently featured in a documentary celebrating the show’s legacy and revealed its royal fanbase, which included the late Pope Benedict XVI and even the Queen herself! Imagine how Hyacinth would have fluffed her hair at such gossip!
The beloved show, renowned for Hyacinth’s ridiculous attempts to project upper-class airs and insistence that her name rhymes with ‘Bouquet’, has fans spanning the globe. It’s officially the most exported BBC series ever, with nearly a thousand international broadcasters screaming ‘Can we have more please?’ After bagging her iconic role, Patricia waved goodbye to the glitzy world of acting, opting instead to spend her days enjoying a well-deserved retirement—probably sipping tea while fantasising about garden parties at the palace.
Before her retirement, Patricia charmed audiences as an amateur sleuth in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates and impressed with her engaging performances in the acclaimed Talking Heads series. Not one to shy away from accolades, our Hyacinth was awarded a Damehood by none other than Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. Fast forward to 2022, and she was strutting her stuff with royal approval again, snagging honorary membership in the Royal Academy of Music! Clearly, this lady knows how to schmooze with the royals!
Also keeping up appearances was Josephine Towson, who played the Bucket’s timid neighbour, Elizabeth Warden. After dazzling fans on the show, she went on to star in Last of the Summer Wine and even produced her own one-woman show—still repping her roots! Unfortunately, she passed away in August 2022, leaving behind a legacy as delightful as Hyacinth’s obsession with fancy parties.
So, whether you’re a die-hard fan of keeping up appearances or are just meeting Hyacinth for the first time, Patricia Routledge’s journey from sitcom star to acting royalty proves that laughter truly is the best medicine—and fitting in just isn’t for everyone!
“Hyacinth would have been flattered beyond words, and why not?” – Patricia Routledge.
Keeping Up Appearances revolutionised British sitcoms with its sharp humour and memorable characters. Patricia Routledge’s portrayal of the pretentious Hyacinth Bucket captured hearts with her ludicrous attempts to appear upper-class. The show not only thrived in the UK but captured global audiences’ attention, becoming a cultural icon. Featuring renowned British actors, it left a legacy that continues to be celebrated even three decades post-its finale.
In conclusion, Patricia Routledge’s transformation from the well-heeled Hyacinth Bucket to a beloved dame reflects not only her remarkable career but also the timeless charm of Keeping Up Appearances. As the show continues to delight audiences worldwide, its legacy proves that snobbery with a side of humour is truly timeless. Here’s to more laughs and possibly another royal tea party, where Hyacinth would undoubtedly demand an invite!
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
