‘Bright as a button’: Rare sighting of British TV legend leaves fans stunned
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Rare appearances of beloved public figures always spark curiosity, especially when they’ve spent years away from the spotlight.
When one iconic TV legend recently resurfaced, it was enough to stir excitement and admiration among fans.
What unfolded was a moment that reminded everyone why this star remains unforgettable.
Dame Patricia Routledge, the beloved British actress, recently delighted fans by making a rare public appearance just shy of her 96th birthday.
Best known for her iconic role as Hyacinth Bucket in the 90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, the veteran performer stepped out for a meal at a seaside restaurant.
The unexpected sighting came courtesy of chef Michael Newton-Young, who shared a photo of the actress online.
Newton-Young hosted Routledge at his restaurant Chez Moi in Bognor Regis, near Chichester, where she resides.
Speaking to The Argus, Newton-Young revealed the restaurant had opened exclusively for Dame Routledge.
He described her as ‘bright as a button – brilliant and lovely. She’s completely compos mentis – sharp as a tack.’
Routledge, who retired from acting about a decade ago, last appeared on television in the 2001 film Anybody’s Nightmare.
Her final stage performance was in 2014, starring in An Ideal Husband at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Fans got a rare glimpse of the star in early 2023 during the documentary special Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs.
The BBC sitcom, which ran from 1990 for five seasons, turned her into an international household name.
Hyacinth Bucket, famously pronounced ‘bouquet’, was a snobbish yet loveable social climber.
The show aired in Australia on the ABC, where it gained a loyal fanbase and cemented Routledge as a comedy icon.
In a 2001 interview, Routledge shared her thoughts on her life and career. ‘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.’
Routledge is now one of only two surviving main cast members from Keeping Up Appearances. Judy Cornwell, who played Daisy, remains active at 84.
Other co-stars, including Clive Swift (Richard), Shirley Stelfox (Rose), Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow), and Josephine Tewson (Elizabeth), have since passed away.
Swift died in 2019 aged 82, Stelfox in 2015 at 74, Hughes in 2012 at 68, and Tewson in 2022 aged 91.
Routledge’s enduring legacy as Hyacinth remains a treasured part of British television history. For now, fans celebrate the rare but cherished glimpses of the much-loved actress.
Which of her unforgettable performances is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comments.
When one iconic TV legend recently resurfaced, it was enough to stir excitement and admiration among fans.
What unfolded was a moment that reminded everyone why this star remains unforgettable.
Dame Patricia Routledge, the beloved British actress, recently delighted fans by making a rare public appearance just shy of her 96th birthday.
Best known for her iconic role as Hyacinth Bucket in the 90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, the veteran performer stepped out for a meal at a seaside restaurant.
The unexpected sighting came courtesy of chef Michael Newton-Young, who shared a photo of the actress online.
Newton-Young hosted Routledge at his restaurant Chez Moi in Bognor Regis, near Chichester, where she resides.
Speaking to The Argus, Newton-Young revealed the restaurant had opened exclusively for Dame Routledge.
He described her as ‘bright as a button – brilliant and lovely. She’s completely compos mentis – sharp as a tack.’
Routledge, who retired from acting about a decade ago, last appeared on television in the 2001 film Anybody’s Nightmare.
Her final stage performance was in 2014, starring in An Ideal Husband at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Fans got a rare glimpse of the star in early 2023 during the documentary special Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs.
The BBC sitcom, which ran from 1990 for five seasons, turned her into an international household name.
Hyacinth Bucket, famously pronounced ‘bouquet’, was a snobbish yet loveable social climber.
The show aired in Australia on the ABC, where it gained a loyal fanbase and cemented Routledge as a comedy icon.
In a 2001 interview, Routledge shared her thoughts on her life and career. ‘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.’
Routledge is now one of only two surviving main cast members from Keeping Up Appearances. Judy Cornwell, who played Daisy, remains active at 84.
Other co-stars, including Clive Swift (Richard), Shirley Stelfox (Rose), Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow), and Josephine Tewson (Elizabeth), have since passed away.
Swift died in 2019 aged 82, Stelfox in 2015 at 74, Hughes in 2012 at 68, and Tewson in 2022 aged 91.
Routledge’s enduring legacy as Hyacinth remains a treasured part of British television history. For now, fans celebrate the rare but cherished glimpses of the much-loved actress.
Which of her unforgettable performances is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comments.
