Heavenly Laughter: Dame Patricia Routledge Reveals Pope Benedict XVI Was an Unlikely Fan of Keeping Up Appearances

In a revelation that blends comedy with the celestial, Dame Patricia Routledge has shared an extraordinary detail about the enduring cultural reach of Keeping Up Appearances: the late Pope Benedict XVI was reportedly a devoted—and surprising—fan of the hit BBC sitcom.

Yes, you read that correctly. The pontiff, once the most senior figure in the Catholic Church, is said to have not only watched the show but even performed an impression of one of television’s most unforgettable characters: Hyacinth Bucket. Or as she insisted—“It’s Bouquet, dear!”

The anecdote emerged in Channel 5’s recent retrospective documentary Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs, which explored the beloved series’ three-decade legacy. But the moment that truly captured headlines was Dame Patricia’s candid disclosure about the show’s improbable Vatican admirer.

“There’s a rumour,” Routledge said with a glint of mischief, “that Pope Benedict did an impression of Hyacinth’s telephone catchphrase—‘Hello, this is the Bouquet residence.’”

For many, this curious collision of British comedy and global religious leadership is as surreal as it is delightful. But it speaks volumes about the universal appeal of Routledge’s most iconic creation—a character so vividly drawn, so riotously determined, that she found fans in royal palaces, modest homes, and, it seems, even in the Apostolic Palace.

From Suburbia to the Vatican

Keeping Up Appearances, which originally aired from 1990 to 1995, quickly cemented itself as one of the BBC’s most cherished sitcoms. At its heart was Hyacinth Bucket, a woman from modest beginnings whose obsession with social status, manicured appearances, and high-society pretensions often plunged her into hilariously undignified situations.

Hyacinth’s character was not just comic gold—she was an archetype. A masterclass in comedic acting, Routledge’s performance captured the gap between aspiration and reality with surgical precision, bringing both laughter and poignancy to British audiences and far beyond.

But few could have predicted that the sitcom’s satirical take on middle-class snobbery would become a favourite in such high places. Dame Patricia revealed that Keeping Up Appearances had more than one elite fan.

“We were one of the Queen Mother’s favourite sitcoms, which was lovely,” she recalled. “And the Queen enjoyed it, too. Hyacinth would have been flattered beyond words—and why not?”

The notion that the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother were tuning in to watch Hyacinth’s weekly battles to host candlelight suppers, manage her chaotic family, and climb the social ladder adds yet another layer of charm to the show’s legacy. But it is the idea of Pope Benedict—arguably the world’s most unlikely sitcom fan—doing Hyacinth impressions that has sent fans and media into a joyful frenzy.

The Power of Comedy in High Places

Though it may seem odd that a pope would be taken with a British sitcom, it’s a testament to the transcendent power of humour. Hyacinth’s antics, while deeply rooted in British culture, touch on universal themes: class anxiety, the desire for respect, and the often ludicrous lengths people go to maintain appearances.

In many ways, Pope Benedict’s reported fondness for Hyacinth may reveal a side of the late pontiff that the public rarely saw—an appreciation for subtle satire, social commentary, and, perhaps, a momentary escape from the solemnity of his role.

Whether or not he truly mimicked Routledge’s telephone line is, as she noted, “just a rumour.” But it is a rumour so delightfully absurd, so perfectly British in tone, that it feels true in spirit, even if unverifiable in fact.

Behind the Scenes: A Legendary Cast

Keeping Up Appearances ran for five seasons and 44 episodes, becoming a cultural phenomenon and spawning international syndication. Alongside Dame Patricia’s tour de force performance, the series featured a brilliantly assembled cast: Clive Swift as her long-suffering husband Richard, Geoffrey Hughes as her lovable, lazy brother-in-law Onslow, and Judy Cornwell as the sweet yet downtrodden Daisy.

Their comedic chemistry elevated the show into classic territory, balancing Hyacinth’s relentless drive for sophistication with the grounded chaos of her working-class relatives.

Sadly, several cast members have since passed, including Geoffrey Hughes, who died in 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. His portrayal of Onslow—beer in hand, vest askew, utterly unbothered by Hyacinth’s pretensions—remains one of British TV’s most enduring comedic characters.

Yet despite the years that have passed, the show’s humour remains strikingly relevant. In today’s age of curated social media personas and reality TV-fuelled status games, Hyacinth’s desperate need to be seen as upper-crust hits closer to home than ever.

A Dame’s Enduring Legacy

At 96, Dame Patricia Routledge continues to be celebrated not only for her work as Hyacinth but for an extraordinary career that spans theatre, film, radio, and charitable service. Recently honoured as a Dame Commander of the British Empire, she remains a titan of the British entertainment world—a woman who transformed a single character into a cultural symbol.

She has never been one to dwell on celebrity, often preferring the anonymity of stage roles and serious drama. But her portrayal of Hyacinth has taken on a life of its own, as beloved in 2025 as it was in 1990.

The recent documentary and her candid remarks serve as a loving reminder of the show’s impact—not just on everyday fans, but on global figures who, despite their immense responsibilities, found joy in the world of the Bucket (Bouquet) residence.

From Candlelight Suppers to the Vatican Archives

In a world where the sacred and the silly rarely cross paths, Keeping Up Appearances found a place in both. That a British sitcom could elicit laughter from Buckingham Palace to the Vatican is both bizarre and beautiful. It reminds us that even those in the highest offices—kings, queens, and popes—need a little levity now and then.

And if those moments of joy came from Hyacinth Bucket answering the phone in her best RP accent, then perhaps it’s proof that comedy is, indeed, a divine gift.

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