**Beloved Sitcom Star Patricia Routledge Passes Away at 96** Patricia Routledge, the acclaimed star of the beloved sitcom *Keeping Up Appearances*, has died at the age of 96. Her agent confirmed that she passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones. In a heartfelt statement, her agent expressed, "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning, surrounded by love. 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. She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world." Dame Patricia was best known for her iconic role as the snobbish Hyacinth Bucket, pronounced "bouquet," in *Keeping Up Appearances*, which aired from 1990 to 1995. The show was a massive success, attracting up to 13 million viewers at its peak and earning her widespread acclaim. Born in Tranmere, Cheshire, in 1929, Routledge began her career in theatre and musical theatre in 1952. She made her Broadway debut in 1966 in *How's The World Treating You* and won a Tony Award in 1968 for Best Actress in a Musical for *Darling of the Day*. Her television career took off in the 1980s, with notable appearances in Alan Bennett's *A Woman Of No Importance* in 1982 and *Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV* in 1985. In later years, she returned to the screen for various documentaries reflecting on her illustrious career. Dame Patricia was honoured with an OBE in 1993, a CBE in 2004, and a DBE in 2017, earning her the title of Dame. While her role as Hyacinth Bucket defined much of her career, she embraced the association, stating in a 2011 interview, "If everything focuses on that, it’s just too silly. But it would be churlish of me not to appreciate what it’s brought me. If a good number of people come into a theatre because they know me from the dreaded Mrs B, I couldn’t be happier." Despite her fame, Dame Patricia never married or had children, explaining in 2001, "I didn't make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother. Life just turned out like that because my involvement in acting was so total." Her legacy as a versatile actress extends beyond sitcoms, having also performed in Shakespeare and starring as a pensioner-turned-detective in the BBC series *Hetty Wainthropp Investigates* at the age of 66. Dame Patricia Routledge's contributions to the arts will be remembered fondly by her fans and colleagues alike.