PauseMuteLoaded: 8.45%Remaining Time -11:35Close Player Dame Patricia Routledge, the legendary British actress best known for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, has delighted fans with a rare public appearance just months before her 96th birthday. The celebrated star, who retired from acting over a decade ago, was recently spotted at a restaurant in the UK seaside town of Bognor Regis, looking as sharp and elegant as ever.

The beloved actress was photographed alongside chef Michael Newton-Young after dining at his restaurant, Chez Moi. The chef, thrilled to have hosted such an esteemed guest, shared his excitement with The Argus, revealing that Dame Patricia was “bright as a button—brilliant and lovely.”“She’s completely compos mentis—sharp as a tack,” he added, emphasizing that even at 95, she remains as quick-witted and charismatic as ever. The restaurant, which was opened exclusively for her visit, served her a meal of pork belly and tarte tatin, a dining experience fit for a woman of her stature.She was accompanied by her carers, enjoying a quiet but special evening in a place that reflects the refined tastes of the woman who once made “candlelight suppers” a household phrase.

While Keeping Up Appearances remains one of the most cherished British sitcoms of all time, Dame Patricia’s career extends far beyond the role of the ever-pretentious and socially ambitious Hyacinth Bucket (“pronounced Bouquet”). Before becoming a television icon in the 1990s, she built a formidable reputation on the stage, winning critical acclaim and prestigious awards.Her journey began in the 1950s at the Liverpool Playhouse after training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Darling of the Day, a testament to her immense talent beyond comedy.Her powerful stage presence, combined with her impeccable comedic timing, made her one of the most respected actresses in British theater and television.Although she transitioned to television and film, the stage remained her first love. Her final performance came in 2014 in a Chichester production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, marking the end of a career that spanned more than six decades.

Dame Patricia has often spoken about the magic of live theater, emphasizing its irreplaceable nature in the world of performance. “Theatre is the test,” she once said. “It is the exchange of an imaginative experience in the immediacy of the moment. There is nothing like it in the world.”For her, acting was not just about entertainment—it was about connection, about sharing something profound with an audience. “Orators and politicians know it—sharing with the audience and the manipulation too,” she once noted, highlighting the transformative power of performance.Interestingly,

Dame Patricia’s earliest ambition was not to be an actress but an “avant-garde headmistress with a red sports car and romances all over Europe.” However, as fate would have it, the world of performance called to her.She initially set her sights on becoming a singer, drawn to music by her “big, bouncing voice.” But acting soon took center stage in her life, and from an early age, it became clear that she was destined for the spotlight.“I look back and it was always going to happen,” she reflected on her career. “I was always the person asked to play Christopher Columbus at the age of 8—I wondered why the other boys and girls were not chosen and I decided that they were lazy.”Her natural ability to command attention and her unwavering work ethic ensured that she became one of Britain’s most celebrated performers.Dame Patricia’s recent public appearance is a heartwarming reminder of the enduring impact she has had on the world of entertainment.

While she may have stepped away from acting, her influence remains strong, with Keeping Up Appearances continuing to entertain audiences worldwide.Her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket remains one of the most beloved comedic performances in British television history, with reruns still drawing laughter from fans old and new.As she approaches her 96th birthday, her sharpness, wit, and grace remain as remarkable as ever. For those who have long admired her work, this rare sighting is a joyful moment—proof that the woman who once had us all laughing at Hyacinth’s elaborate schemes and social climbing still possesses the charm and brilliance that made her a star.Dame Patricia Routledge is not just an actress; she is a cultural treasure.

Whether on stage, on screen, or simply in the memory of those who have enjoyed her work, she continues to shine as one of Britain’s greatest comedic and dramatic talents.

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Corrie actor Geoffrey Hughes, 68, dies after two year cancer battle Former Coronation Street actor Geoffrey Hughes has died of cancer. He was 68. The Merseyside-born star died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Friday night, according to his family. His death comes after a ‘long courageous battle’ with prostate cancer. Comic timing: Geoffrey Hughes, pictured as Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 68 The actor, who lives on the Isle Of Wight, was best known for playing binman Eddie Yates in Corrie for nine years until the early 80s. He also won over fans as Hyacinth’s lazy brother-in-law Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances. In the Noughties he landed two big roles – playing wheeler dealer Vernon Scripps in Hearbeat and Twiggy in The Royle Family. Soap star: Geoffrey as Eddie Yeates with Veronica Doran as Marion Yeats in Coronation Street Prior to his cancer battle, Hughes played Uncle Keith in an episode of teen drama Skins. A Corrie spokesperson said: …

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Keeping Up Appearances cast now – Damehood, famous children and tragic deaths Keeping Up Appearances was a huge hit with viewers from 1990 to 1995, but what happened to the cast after the show ended? t’s been more than three decades since the beloved British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances graced our screens and the show’s legacy endures, capturing the hearts of TV lovers to this day. The hit BBC comedy, which delighted audiences from 1990 to 1995, featured Dame Patricia Routledge in her legendary role as Hyacinth Bucket. Her portrayal of the comically pretentious character, who famously insisted her surname “Bucket” be pronounced “Bouquet”, cemented her as a fan favourite. Over five seasons and 44 episodes, viewers were entertained by Hyacinth’s hilarious attempts to ascend the social ladder – though her endeavours often led to comical mishaps. The series didn’t just become a hit in Britain; its charm reached across the globe, captivating audience…

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Clive Swift dead: Keeping Up Appearances star dies aged 82 CLIVE SWIFT, who starred in Keeping up Appearances, has died at the age of 82. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 18 seconds Volume 0% 00:00 00:21 01:18 More Videos Clive Swift, who was best known for his role playing the long suffering Richard Bucket in the BBC series, Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 82. A representative for Clive confirmed to Express.co.uk: “After a short illness Clive died peacefully at home this morning surrounded by his family.” The BBC star appeared on viewers’ screens in the comedy between 1990 to 1995. Clive spent six years playing Richard opposite Dame Patricia Routledge. The role saw him having to be understanding to her attempts at social climbing. Clive also appeared in the BBC adaption of The Barchester Chronicles and in December 2007 starred in a Doctor Who Christmas special as Mr Coppper. He also played Sir Ector, the adoptive father of King Arthur in John Boorman’s 1981 film Exca…