In a moment that will tug at the heartstrings of British comedy fans everywhere, Dame Patricia Routledge has delivered her final, emotional message as the unforgettable Hyacinth Bucket.
The 95-year-old acting legend, who immortalised the social-climbing housewife in the beloved BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has officially retired the character that became a national treasure.
The Bouquet Residence... For The Last Time
During a special appearance on BBC's Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Routledge offered what she confirmed would be her last words in character. With the same impeccable timing that made Hyacinth so hilarious, she declared: "It is Bouquet, actually! The Bucket woman has left the building."
This poignant farewell comes as Routledge steps away from the role that defined her career for millions of viewers worldwide. The character's relentless pursuit of social status and her famous mispronunciation of her own surname became comedy gold throughout the 1990s.
A Legacy That Spans Generations
Despite the show ending in 1995, Hyacinth Bucket's popularity has endured through constant repeats and international syndication. The sitcom became one of the BBC's most exported programmes, charming audiences from America to Australia with its uniquely British humour.
What made Hyacinth so special? Routledge herself attributes the character's lasting appeal to her universal relatability. "Everybody knows somebody like Hyacinth," she revealed during the interview. "Or if they don't, they're probably Hyacinth themselves!"
More Than Just A Comedy Character
While fans might be mourning the official retirement of their favourite status-obsessed housewife, Routledge's distinguished career spans far beyond the world of sitcoms. The BAFTA-winning actress has enjoyed critical acclaim for her dramatic roles in television and theatre, particularly for her portrayal of Kitty in Victoria Wood's acclaimed drama 'Pat and Margaret'.
Her final message as Hyacinth serves as a perfect bookend to one of British television's most cherished characters - a fitting farewell that maintains the humour and spirit that made the character so beloved.
As the curtain falls on this chapter of British comedy history, one thing remains certain: Hyacinth Bucket - or rather, Bouquet - will continue to entertain generations to come, even as the actress who brought her to life so perfectly moves on.
