Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet,” as she constantly reminded everyone) was the heart of Keeping Up Appearances, but she wasn’t always adored by viewers. While many fans loved her over-the-top antics and desperate attempts to climb the social ladder, others found her insufferable, even downright infuriating.

Her obsession with class, constant belittling of others, and absolute refusal to accept reality made her a character that some loved to hate.

Played masterfully by Patricia Routledge, Hyacinth was a force of nature—a woman determined to be seen as upper-class, even though her roots were undeniably middle-class. Every episode revolved around her ridiculous attempts to impress the wealthy and important, all while treating her long-suffering husband Richard like a personal servant and acting as if her less-refined relatives didn’t exist.

But for some fans, Hyacinth’s behavior went beyond mere comedy. At times, it was just plain exasperating.

1. Her Snobbish Attitude
   Hyacinth’s entire personality revolved around maintaining the illusion of high social status. She insisted on fine china, elaborate candlelit suppers, and being addressed with exaggerated politeness.

2. However, the way she looked down on others—especially those who didn’t fit her idea of “proper” behavior—could be frustrating to watch. She constantly criticized her neighbor Elizabeth’s nervousness, dismissed her brother-in-law Onslow as a “lazy slob,” and treated service workers as if they were beneath her.

3. Her Treatment of Richard
   Poor Richard. Throughout the series, he endured endless suffering at the hands of his demanding wife. Whether he was forced to drive her around town on ridiculous errands, wear outfits he despised, or suffer through embarrassing social encounters, Richard rarely got a moment of peace.

4. Fans often sympathized with him, feeling that Hyacinth took advantage of his patience far too often. The way she dismissed his complaints and expected him to cater to her every whim made some viewers genuinely annoyed on his behalf.

5. Her Fear of Her Own Family
   One of the show’s running jokes was Hyacinth’s complete embarrassment over her working-class relatives—her sisters Daisy and Rose, her brother-in-law Onslow, and her unseen but notorious Daddy. Instead of embracing them, she did everything in her power to pretend they didn’t exist.

6. The way she panicked every time they called or visited made it clear that she thought they were beneath her. For fans who valued family above social status, this attitude was particularly grating.

7. Her Total Lack of Self-Awareness
   Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Hyacinth was that she never seemed to realize how ridiculous she was. Even when her carefully planned social events ended in disaster, she always found a way to blame someone else or pretend nothing had gone wrong.

8. Fans who enjoy characters that grow and learn over time found it maddening that Hyacinth never changed. She was as delusional in the final episode as she was in the first.

For all her flaws, Hyacinth Bucket remains one of British TV’s most iconic comedic characters. While she could be infuriating, she was also undeniably hilarious.

• Patricia Routledge’s Performance – Even those who disliked Hyacinth as a person couldn’t deny that Routledge’s acting was phenomenal. Her ability to balance absurdity, arrogance, and cluelessness made Hyacinth a character that viewers couldn’t ignore.
• The Comedy of Her Failures – Hyacinth’s constant attempts to impress people almost always ended in disaster. Whether she was falling into a river, causing chaos at a fancy event, or humiliating herself in front of important guests, her failures were often funnier than her successes.
• Her Unique Charm – Despite her snobbery, Hyacinth was strangely endearing. There was something admirable about her determination, even if it was misplaced. She genuinely believed she was making the world a more refined place, and in her own way, she was just trying to find happiness.

Decades after Keeping Up Appearances ended, Hyacinth Bucket remains a character who divides audiences. Some fans adore her, celebrating her as one of the greatest comedic creations in television history. Others find her exhausting, an overbearing presence who makes life miserable for those around her.

But whether you love her, hate her, or both, one thing is certain—Hyacinth Bucket is unforgettable.