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Star Patricia Routledge, famous for portraying the character Hyacinth Bucket in the classic television comedy Keeping Up Appearances, has left us at the 96, as confirmed by.

Additionally, she appeared in Alan Bennett's celebrated solo performances and took on the role of BBC One's amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep today with loved ones near."

"At the remarkable age of 96, Dame Patricia's passion for her work and for engaging with theatergoers remained strong, just as younger viewers keep discovering her work through her popular screen performances."

The announcement noted: "She leaves a void by those closest to her and by her dedicated supporters around the world."

An Illustrious Career

Dame Patricia was most famous as Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced "bouquet" - a comic creation who represented the height of affectation and class consciousness.

"She is a wonderfully awful character and I loved portraying her tremendously," the star remarked.

Keeping Up Appearances was broadcast from the early 1990s, and the following year she was voted the UK's favorite actress at the television awards.

She also received recognition on stage as well as screen after starting her career in the theatre in the 1950s era.

Following roles in the West End, she made a name in the America when she was awarded the Broadway trophy for outstanding actress in a musical on New York theater for Darling of the Day in the late 1960s.

Her talents extended at serious drama as she was at musicals and comedy - she took part in classic plays at the RSC, then earned an Laurence Olivier Award for leading musical actress for Candide in the 1980s.

That decade also marked her rise as a household name - receiving parts by Victoria Wood in As Seen on TV, and Alan Bennett in three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues, including 1988's A Lady of Letters, for which she earned a Bafta award nomination.

She earned additional Bafta nods, for her Hyacinth role, in 1992 and 93, then starred in the title role as a older lady on a journey into detective work in Hetty Wainthropp between 1996 to 1998.

She was made an OBE in 1993, a CBE in the 2000s, and a dame in 2017.

A Remarkable Life

Via her unforgettable roles, Patricia Routledge brought laughter and delight to countless viewers, leaving behind a extensive body of work that will continue to be celebrated by fans into the future.