Patricia Routledge on reason for leaving Keeping Up Appearances & why she never married or had kids
by Shauna Bannon Ward · RSVP LivePatricia Routledge will always hold a place in people’s hearts after portraying everyone’s favourite snob - Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances.
While she may have only starred in the comedy for five years, her TV legacy has lasted decades.
She has enjoyed a long and acclaimed career - from starring in hit stage productions to originating legendary television roles.
Read more: Dame Maggie Smith's two marriages, heartbreak, grandchildren and health struggles
Childhood
Patricia was born on 17 February 1929, making her 95 years old. Her birth name is Katherine Patricia Routledge and she is originally from Tranmere in Birkenhead, Cheshire.
She graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree with honours in English Language and Literature. It was during her time there that she decided to pursue acting.
She later trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Acting career
Patricia enjoyed a long career in theatre, particularly musical theatre, in the United Kingdom and the United States. She starred in many productions, including Richard III, Little Mary Sunshine, The Importance of Being Earnest and Darling of the Day.
Patricia also has an acclaimed television career, starring in Talking Heads, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates and even Coronation Street.
One of her most famous roles was in Keeping Up Appearances where she portrayed Hyacinth Bucket.
The show aired from 1990 until 1995. She decided to leave the role, therefore ending the show.
In 2017, she opened up about her decision telling Studio 10: “I always thought of the great, great Ronnie Barker. He always left something when he was on a high, and it's much better to have people say now 'Oh, why didn't you do some more?' than having them say 'Oh, is that still on?'”
She added that she felt that the writer of the show Roy Clarke was “recycling some old ideas that we'd already dealt with”.
Family life
Patricia never married or had children, sharing that it wasn’t a decision that she made.
“I didn't make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother - life just turned out like that because my involvement in acting was so total,” she told The Telegraph.
“Now, I think it's a pity I didn't have children. But I'm not sure that you can have a career and a family and do both satisfactorily. I always knew, deep down, that everything has a cost and I would have hated to short-change any little soul that I brought into the world.”
The TV legend shared that she fell in love twice in her life and the first time was with a married man.
“It took me completely by surprise, but it was enriching for both of us,” she said. “It was a very blessed and beautiful thing and . . . I grew up. I felt guilt and an acute sense that there had to be loss.
“I suppose I convinced myself that it was all right for the time being because his marriage was not a living thing. I have met his wife since and she has a spirit as large as the universe.
“I'm sure she knew what was going on, but theirs was a wonderful partnership and they remained married. Yes, oh yes. I have no regrets. People you have loved very much are part of you for always.”
Patricia found love again, but with a director of a play she was rehearsing.
“It was joyous,” she said. “One had this wonderful experience of empathy and laughter, always laughter.”
However, the man sadly passed away suddenly before the play opened.
Patricia added: “It was devastating. But we never possess anything or anybody - that's a great lesson to learn. And the work had to be done, had to be completed, for him, and in a strange way, although that was painful, it was also comforting.
“But the wounds stayed for a long time…”