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Star Patricia Routledge, renowned for portraying Hyacinth Bucket in the beloved TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the 96, as confirmed by.

Beyond that, she starred in Alan Bennett's TV monologues and portrayed BBC One's crime-solving retiree Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

"It is with great sadness to confirm the loss of Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep recently in the presence of family."

"At the remarkable age of 96, her dedication to acting and for reaching out to fans never waned, just as modern audiences have continued to find her through her cherished television roles."

The announcement added: "Her absence will be deeply felt by her family and friends and by her loyal fans globally."

A Life in the Spotlight

Dame Patricia was most famous as the character Hyacinth Bucket - who insisted it be said "bouquet" - a humorous character who represented the peak of English pretension and snobbery.

"She is a wonderfully awful character and I had great fun with the role tremendously," the star remarked.

Keeping Up Appearances was broadcast from 1990 to 95, and a year later she was voted the UK's favorite actress at the BBC anniversary ceremony.

Additionally, she earned praise on stage as well as screen after launching her acting journey in the theater in the 1950s.

With performances in the West End, she established herself in the US when she was awarded the Broadway trophy for outstanding actress in a musical on New York theater for the musical Darling of the Day in the late 1960s.

Her talents extended at intense theater as she was at musicals and comedy - she appeared in Shakespeare's histories at the Royal Shakespeare Company, then received an Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for Candide in the eighties.

That decade also saw her become a true national TV star - being given roles by Victoria Wood in As Seen on TV, and Alan Bennett in three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues, including the 1988 piece A Lady of Letters, for which she was given a Bafta nomination.

She received additional Bafta nods, for Keeping Up Appearances, in 1992 and 1993, then headlined the central part as a older lady on a mission to investigate mysteries in Hetty Wainthropp between the late 1990s.

She was honored with an Order of the British Empire in 1993, a CBE in 2004, and a dame in recent years.

A Lasting Legacy

Through her iconic performances, Dame Patricia Routledge brought laughter and entertainment to countless viewers, leaving behind a extensive career portfolio that remains cherished by fans for generations to come.