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Performer Patricia Routledge, famous for embodying the character Hyacinth Bucket in the classic television comedy the series Keeping Up Appearances, has left us at the 96 years old, her agent announced.

She also starred in Alan Bennett's TV monologues and took on the role of BBC One's amateur detective Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

"It is with great sadness to announce the loss of Dame Patricia Routledge, who passed away peacefully in her sleep this morning with loved ones near."

"Despite her advanced years, her love for performing and for reaching out to fans never waned, just as new generations keep discovering her work through her beloved television roles."

The statement added: "She leaves a void by those closest to her and by her loyal fans worldwide."

Decades of Performance

Patricia Routledge was primarily recognized as Hyacinth Bucket - with the affected pronunciation "bouquet" - a funny persona who represented the extremes of British social climbing.

"She is a wonderfully awful character and I had great fun with the role enormously," the performer remarked.

This classic sitcom aired from 1990 to 95, and the following year she was named the nation's most popular actress at the BBC anniversary ceremony.

Beyond television, she earned praise in theater and film after beginning her professional life in the theater in the 1950s.

After appearances in the West End, she established herself in the US when she was awarded the Broadway trophy for best lead actress in a musical on New York theater for the musical Darling of the Day in the late 1960s.

She was as adept at intense theater as she was at light entertainment - she performed in Richard III and Henry V at the prestigious theater company, then earned an theater prize for best actress in a musical for the production Candide in the 1980s decade.

The 1980s also saw her become a television icon - landing appearances by Victoria Wood in the show As Seen on TV, and Alan Bennett in three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues, including 1988's A Lady of Letters, for which she received a Bafta nomination.

She garnered more award nominations, for her Hyacinth role, in 1992 and 1993, then starred in the main character as a older lady on a quest to solve crimes in BBC One's Hetty Wainthropp Investigates between 1996 to 1998.

She was made an Order of the British Empire in the nineties, a CBE in 2004, and the title of Dame in 2017.

An Enduring Impact

Via her iconic performances, Patricia Routledge delivered humor and joy to audiences worldwide, establishing a rich collection of performances that remains cherished by admirers into the future.