Patricia Routledge, star of Keeping Up Appearances, dies at the age of 96

Patricia Routledge, the stage and screen actor best known for starring as Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances and as the lead in the series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, has died at the age of 96.

- Hannah J Davies

"We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love," said her agent. "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."

The statement added: "She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world."

Routledge was born in Birkenhead, then part of Cheshire, in 1929 and attended the University of Liverpool and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She began her career in the-atre and musical theatre in 1952, making her Broadway debut in 1966 in How's the World Treating You. Routledge would go on to win a Tony award and an Olivier for her stage work, and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for several years, appearing in productions including Richard III with Antony Sher.