Whatever Happened to the Cast of Keeping Up Appearances? A Look Back at the Stars of Britain’s Favorite Social Satire

It was the sitcom that gave us Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles, the world’s most flamboyant middle-class pretender, and one of television’s most hilariously dysfunctional families. Keeping Up Appearances, which debuted on the BBC in 1990, didn’t just poke fun at social climbers—it immortalized them. At the heart of it all was Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet,” of course), whose desperate obsession with etiquette, prestige, and appearances made her an icon of British comedy.

Three decades later, the impact of Keeping Up Appearances remains astonishing. The show was sold to networks nearly 1,000 times around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Australia. Its final episode in 1995 drew nearly 17 million viewers in the UK alone. The show’s enduring appeal lies not just in its pitch-perfect satire, but in the unforgettable performances from a cast of seasoned British actors who brought Hyacinth’s world to life.

Let’s take a look at where those beloved performers are today, and the legacies they left behind.

Patricia Routledge — The Queen of Class Anxiety

There was never anyone quite like Hyacinth Bucket. A woman of boundless ambition and boundless delusion, she micromanaged her social ascent one finger sandwich and floral centerpiece at a time. And the actress behind her, Dame Patricia Routledge, was every bit as formidable in her craft as Hyacinth was in her quest for refinement.

By the time she took on Hyacinth, Routledge was already an accomplished performer, having earned accolades on both Broadway and the West End, including a Tony Award and multiple Olivier nominations. After Keeping Up Appearances, she starred as the sharp-witted amateur sleuth in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, proving her dramatic chops matched her comedic brilliance.

Now 94, Routledge remains a revered figure in British theatre. In 2017, she was made a Dame for her services to the arts, and in 2023, she was granted honorary membership to the Royal Academy of Music. While she has long retired from screen roles, her performance as Hyacinth remains one of the most iconic in television history.

Clive Swift — The Enduring Richard Bucket

Patient, enduring, and constantly under siege by his wife’s social machinations, Richard Bucket may have been the sanest person in Keeping Up Appearances. Clive Swift played the role with a perfect balance of exasperation and subtle affection, making Richard a fan favorite.

After the series ended, Swift continued acting, including a memorable turn alongside Kylie Minogue in the Doctor Who Christmas special “Voyage of the Damned.” A classically trained Shakespearean actor, Swift was also a talented musician, even performing in a one-man musical revue called Richard Bucket Overflows.

Swift was married to novelist Margaret Drabble, with whom he had three children. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of quiet brilliance and comedic restraint.

Geoffrey Hughes — The Surprisingly Intellectual Onslow

In his grease-stained vest, slumped in an armchair with a beer in one hand and a racing form in the other, Onslow was Hyacinth’s worst nightmare and the audience’s guilty pleasure. Geoffrey Hughes brought depth and warmth to a character who could’ve been a simple slob stereotype—he was philosophical, witty, and deeply human.

Hughes was already well known for his role as Eddie Yeats in Coronation Street and later endeared himself to new audiences as Twiggy in The Royle Family and Vernon Scripps in Heartbeat. Off-screen, he was known for his humor and kindness, but tragically, Hughes died from prostate cancer in 2012. He is survived by his wife Sue and remembered as one of British television’s most versatile character actors.

Shirley Stelfox and Mary Millar — The Wild Rose

Hyacinth’s uninhibited sister Rose, the self-proclaimed siren of the neighborhood, was a constant source of scandal and comedy. The character was first played by Shirley Stelfox, who went on to a long-running role as the no-nonsense Edna Birch in Emmerdale. Stelfox passed away in 2015 at the age of 74.

From the second season onward, Rose was played by Mary Millar, whose portrayal brought a musical theatre flair and an irresistible charm to the character. A celebrated West End performer, Millar later starred as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast on stage. She passed away in 1998 from ovarian cancer, aged just 62, but her spirited turn as Rose remains a highlight of the series.

Judy Cornwell — The Devoted Daisy

As Hyacinth’s romantically hopeful sister Daisy, Judy Cornwell was the heart of the show’s working-class subplot. Forever chasing affection from her disinterested husband Onslow, Daisy’s blend of innocence and cheekiness offered warmth and comic relief.

After Keeping Up Appearances, Cornwell took on a wide range of roles, including a stint in EastEnders as Queenie Trott and appearances in Birds of a Feather, Midsomer Murders, and Heartbeat. A published novelist and accomplished stage actress, Cornwell, now 83, lives quietly with her husband and son.

Josephine Tewson — The Perpetually Nervous Elizabeth

Josephine Tewson’s portrayal of Elizabeth Warden, the timid neighbor with perpetually spilled coffee, was a masterclass in understated comedy. Whether twitching under Hyacinth’s scrutiny or dodging her impromptu singalongs, Elizabeth was everyone’s favorite reluctant guest.

Tewson enjoyed a rich career in television, including work with The Two Ronnies, Frost on Sunday, and Last of the Summer Wine, where she played librarian Miss Davenport. In her 80s, she toured the UK in a one-woman show titled Still Keeping Up Appearances, a tribute to her time on the beloved series. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 91.

David Griffin — The Musically Tormented Emmet

As Elizabeth’s brother Emmet, David Griffin played the unfortunate musician who became the unwitting object of Hyacinth’s operatic ambitions. His character’s horrified expressions during her “performances” are etched into sitcom lore.

Before Keeping Up Appearances, Griffin starred in Hi-de-Hi! and later reunited with Su Pollard to tour with the stage show The Good Sex Guide. Now 80, Griffin remains active in theatre and is married with two children.

A Legacy Still Going Strong

With talks of a prequel series (Young Hyacinth) and reruns still drawing millions, Keeping Up Appearances continues to be one of the BBC’s most treasured comedies. Its characters weren’t just funny—they were sharply drawn reflections of British society’s quirks, contradictions, and class obsessions.

While some of the cast have passed on, their performances remain immortal. In every nervous sip of coffee, every shout of “Richard!” and every sniff at someone else’s social standing, the show holds up a mirror—not just to Britain, but to anyone who’s ever known someone desperate to climb the ladder… even if it’s only to the next neighborhood.

And let’s be honest—we’ve all mispronounced “Bouquet” at least once.