Patricia Routledge Explains Why She Ended Keeping Up Appearances and Why It Should Stay in the Past

Dame Patricia Routledge, the legendary actress who brought the unforgettable Hyacinth Bucket to life in Keeping Up Appearances, has opened up about her decision to walk away from the hit BBC sitcom. In a new programme for BBC Four, the 95-year-old actress reflected on her time as the social-climbing, etiquette-obsessed Hyacinth and why she felt it was best to leave the show at its peak rather than let it fade into mediocrity.

The beloved comedy, which also starred Clive Swift, Geoffrey Hughes, and Judy Cornwell, first aired in 1990 and ran for five successful series before concluding in 1995. Though the BBC would have happily continued producing more episodes, it was Dame Patricia herself who made the choice to bring it to an end.

Speaking candidly in the new BBC special, Dame Patricia explained the thought process behind her decision. “Well, I brought it to an end, which, of course, the BBC didn’t care for very much,” she admitted. “I thought the writer was beginning to recycle old ideas. And also, remembering the glorious Ronnie Barker, he always stopped when he was at the height of something and he always left with people saying, ‘Oh, aren’t you doing any more?’ rather than people saying, ‘Is that still on?’”

For Dame Patricia, the key to great television was knowing when to step away. She didn’t want Keeping Up Appearances to overstay its welcome or lose the charm that had made it so successful. “That’s the place to be, really, and I had other adventures to explore. I’m an actress, and I wanted to take on the stories of other people,” she said.

In an era where many classic shows are being rebooted or reimagined, some fans have wondered if Keeping Up Appearances could be revived for a new generation. However, Dame Patricia has made it clear that she has no interest in seeing a modern version of the show. She believes the original series was exceptional and that bringing it back would only diminish its legacy.

“I have no desire to see Keeping Up Appearances redone,” she has said in past interviews. “We captured something truly special, and I think it should stay that way. Hyacinth belongs to that time, and we must let her stay there.”

For Dame Patricia, the magic of the show lay in its writing, performances, and the chemistry between the cast. She has often spoken about how the characters were perfectly cast, particularly when it came to her on-screen husband, Richard Bucket.

“When the producer mentioned Clive Swift, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, how wonderful. Now we really are in business,’” she recalled. Their dynamic as Hyacinth and Richard was one of the key reasons the show became such a beloved classic.

Even decades after its final episode, Keeping Up Appearances remains one of the most cherished British sitcoms of all time. Its success has endured across generations, and Dame Patricia is still amazed by the scale of its popularity.

“I was amazed by the enormity of it, even 30 years after it ended,” she said in the BBC Four special. The show’s fan base continues to grow, proving that Hyacinth’s desperate attempts to climb the social ladder are just as funny today as they were in the ’90s.

Over the years, Keeping Up Appearances has even found fans in unexpected places. “We were one of the Queen Mother’s favorite sitcoms, which was lovely, and the Queen enjoyed it, too,” Dame Patricia revealed. “Hyacinth would have been flattered beyond words, and why not?”

The sitcom’s influence even extended beyond the UK. Pope Benedict XVI was reportedly a fan of the show, proving that Hyacinth’s antics transcended cultural and national boundaries.

After bidding farewell to Keeping Up Appearances, Dame Patricia continued to thrive in her acting career. She took on the title role in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, a BBC detective series that ran from 1996 to 1998. The show was another success, showcasing her versatility as an actress and proving she was far more than just a sitcom star.

She also returned to her first love—the theatre—with a two-year run as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest from 1999 to 2001. Her stage career has always been a vital part of her legacy, earning her both a Tony Award and an Olivier Award.

Even in recent years, she has continued to be a respected figure in British entertainment, receiving numerous accolades and honors, including becoming a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to theatre and charity.

While many sitcoms come and go, Keeping Up Appearances remains timeless. Its humor, characters, and witty writing continue to entertain audiences worldwide. Dame Patricia’s decision to end the show at the right time ensured that it remained a classic rather than becoming stale.

She remains firm in her belief that the show should be left untouched, standing as a perfect example of British comedy at its best. “It was wonderful while it lasted, and I’m proud of what we did,” she has said. “But some things are best left as they are.”

For millions of fans, Keeping Up Appearances remains just as hilarious and relevant today as it was when it first aired. Thanks to Dame Patricia’s impeccable comedic talent and her decision to preserve the show’s legacy, Hyacinth Bucket will forever be remembered as one of television’s most unforgettable characters.