Dame Patricia Routledge returned to her hometown on Friday, 17 January, to receive Wirral’s highest honour – the Honorary Freedom of the Borough – at a special reception in Birkenhead Town Hall.

In a career spanning more than 70 years, Dame Patricia has become a household name through hundreds of radio, stage, film, and television roles, including, To Sir with Love, Steptoe and Son, Coronation Street, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Alan Bennett monologues, Victoria Wood’s Kitty, and as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances.

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Cherry Povall JP, said, “Some people find fame through a lucky break or a passing fad, but they often come and go in a flash. Dame Patricia’s star has shone over many decades thanks to her exceptional acting and singing talents, wonderful wit, formidable intellect and incredible stamina.

“Her achievements have long been recognised nationally with an OBE, CBE and Dame Commander of the British Empire all being awarded for her exceptional contribution to our national life. So, it is fitting that we have now been able to show how proud we are of her here, in her hometown, with the highest honour we are able to bestow – the Freedom of our Borough.”

Dame Patricia was joined at the civic event by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral (Cllr Cherry Povall JP and Sheila Clarke OBE), The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside (Mr Mark Blundell), The High Sheriff of Merseyside (Prof John Mohin OBE DL), and a number of her friends.

Following the scroll presentation, guests were treated to a performance by pupils from Mersey Park Primary School, where Dame Patricia was once a member of the school choir. The choir sang High Above and Power in Me.

Dame Patricia was born in Tranmere in 1929, attending Mersey Park Primary School and Birkenhead High School, before going on to read English at the University of Liverpool. Her studies later continued at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and London’s Guildhall School of Music.

Her work has been recognised with nominations for dozens of the highest-level entertainment industry awards, winning a Tony Award (Broadway’s highest honour) for Best Actress in a Musical for Darling of the Day, an Olivier Award (the West End’s highest honour) for Best Actress in a Musical for Candide, and a British Comedy Award for Personality of the Year for her role in Keeping Up Appearances.

Dame Patricia Routledge, said, “To be given an award of any kind is a particular privilege, but to receive an honour of this kind, from the citizens of one’s home ground is of especially exciting significance.

“I am truly humbled by this singular accolade and accept with enormous gratitude and pleasure.”

On 7 October last year, Wirral Council unanimously voted to give Dame Patricia the Freedom of the Borough in acknowledgement of her extraordinary achievements.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, Wirral Council has the power to grant the title of Honorary Freeman or Freewoman of the Borough to persons of distinction who have rendered eminent Service to the Borough.

Just 17 other individuals, organisations or groups have been given Freedom of the Borough in the 50 years that Wirral Council has been established.