Dame Patricia Routledge, famed for her role as Hyacinth Bucket on the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, died at age 96. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love,” Routledge’s agent said in a statement. “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.” Before her stint as social climber Hyacinth Bucket—whose surname the character insisted was pronounced “Bouquet”—Routledge had extensive stage experience. She won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Darling of the Day and an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Candide. She was also a long-term member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed in West End productions including The Importance of Being Earnest, Little Mary Sunshine, and Noises Off.
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