It has been three decades since Keeping Up Appearances aired its final episode, yet the classic BBC sitcom remains one of the most beloved British comedies of all time. The show, which ran from 1990 to 1995, followed the eccentric and socially ambitious Hyacinth Bucket (who insisted it was pronounced “Bouquet”), played by Dame Patricia Routledge.

Hyacinth’s relentless efforts to climb the social ladder and distance herself from her working-class relatives made for some of the most hilarious and cringeworthy moments in sitcom history.

However, despite the lighthearted humor and enduring popularity of the show, many of its cast members have met tragic fates over the years. With multiple stars succumbing to illness and untimely deaths, some fans have even referred to this pattern of misfortune as the ‘curse’ of Keeping Up Appearances.

At 96, Dame Patricia Routledge remains the most prominent surviving member of the main cast. Her career spans decades, with notable work in theatre, television, and film. Before Keeping Up Appearances, she had already established herself as a highly respected stage actress and later starred in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, a crime drama where she played a determined amateur detective.

She also appeared in Talking Heads, a series of dramatic monologues written by Alan Bennett.

Unlike many of her co-stars, Patricia has lived a long life and was honored with a Damehood in 2017 for her contributions to the arts and charity work. However, the same cannot be said for several other key cast members, who faced heartbreaking fates far too soon.

Clive Swift, who played Hyacinth’s mild-mannered and patient husband Richard, brought warmth and humor to the role of a man trapped in his wife’s obsessive social ambitions. He became a household name through the show, but his career also extended to other notable roles in Doctor Who, Peak Practice, and The Old Guys.

Sadly, Clive passed away in 2019 at the age of 82. His death followed a short illness, leaving behind three children. His passing marked another loss for fans of the series, as he was one of the last surviving main cast members.

Shirley Stelfox was the first actress to portray Hyacinth’s flirtatious and uninhibited sister, Rose, in the show’s first season. However, she later left the series and was replaced by Mary Millar. Beyond Keeping Up Appearances, Shirley had a successful career in television, appearing in shows like Brookside and EastEnders.

She is perhaps best remembered for her long-running role as Edna Birch in Emmerdale, a role she played for 15 years. Unfortunately, Shirley was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2015 at the age of 74, just weeks after receiving the devastating diagnosis.

After Shirley Stelfox departed, Mary Millar took over the role of Rose from season two onward, portraying the character with a mix of charm and outrageous flirtation. Her performance was widely praised, and she remained with the series until its end.

Outside of the sitcom, Mary had a strong theatre background and performed in numerous stage productions. However, tragedy struck when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She passed away in 1998 at just 62 years old, leaving behind her only child. Her death at such a young age was another devastating blow to fans of the show.

One of the most beloved characters in Keeping Up Appearances was Onslow, played by Geoffrey Hughes. The lazy but kind-hearted husband of Daisy, Onslow was Hyacinth’s worst nightmare—working-class, unapologetic, and often seen lounging in a vest while drinking beer.

Despite being everything Hyacinth despised, he was a fan-favorite.

Geoffrey had an extensive acting career outside of the sitcom, starring in The Royle Family, Coronation Street, Heartbeat, and even Doctor Who. However, he battled prostate cancer, which he initially overcame.

Sadly, the illness returned, and he passed away in 2012 at the age of 68.

The deaths of so many core cast members have left fans heartbroken and have led to speculation about the so-called Keeping Up Appearances ‘curse.’ While there is no real supernatural explanation, it is undeniably tragic that so many of the show’s beloved stars were lost too soon.

Despite these sad losses, Keeping Up Appearances remains a cherished classic, continuing to bring joy to audiences worldwide. The sitcom’s humor, wit, and timeless performances have ensured its legacy will endure, even as its stars are remembered with fondness and nostalgia.