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Actress Dame Patricia Routledge, best known for portraying the character Hyacinth Bucket in the beloved TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has left us at the age of 96, as confirmed by.

Additionally, she appeared in Alan Bennett's celebrated solo performances and took on the role of the BBC's amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Patricia Routledge, who left this world peacefully in her sleep recently surrounded by love."

"Despite her advanced years, Dame Patricia's passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences remained strong, just as modern audiences are still enjoying her roles through her beloved TV characters."

Her agent added: "She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her loyal fans worldwide."

A Life in the Spotlight

Patricia Routledge was primarily recognized as Hyacinth Bucket - with the affected pronunciation "bouquet" - a comic creation who embodied the extremes of affectation and class consciousness.

"Hyacinth is a terrible snob and I had great fun with the role tremendously," the actress remarked.

This classic sitcom aired from 1990 to 95, and the following year she was chosen as the nation's most popular actress at the BBC's 60th anniversary awards.

She also found acclaim in theater and film after beginning her professional life in the stage in the 1950s.

Following roles in the West End, she made a name in the US when she received the Tony for outstanding actress in a musical on New York theater for Darling of the Day in 1968.

She was as adept at serious drama as she was at song-and-dance and humor - she performed in classic plays at the RSC, then received an theater prize for best actress in a musical for Candide in the 1980s decade.

The 1980s also saw her become a television icon - landing appearances by Victoria Wood in As Seen on TV, and Alan Bennett in three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues, including her Bafta-nominated role, for which she was given a Bafta award nomination.

She received two further Bafta nominations, for her Hyacinth role, in the early 1990s, then took the lead in the title role as a older lady on a journey into detective work in Hetty Wainthropp between the late 1990s.

She was made an Order of the British Empire in the nineties, a Commander of the British Empire in the 2000s, and a dame in 2017.

An Enduring Impact

Via her memorable characters, Patricia Routledge provided comedy and joy to millions, leaving behind a extensive career portfolio that will continue to be celebrated by admirers into the future.