Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet), the conceited, socially aspirational protagonist of Keeping Up Appearances, is one of the most memorable television characters. Dame Patricia Routledge, who created Hyacinth, has been outspoken in her disdain of the BBC’s 2016 spin-off, Young Hyacinth, despite the fact that the show is still regarded as a beloved British sitcom classic.
Kerry Howard played a young Hyacinth in the prequel, which sought to examine the character’s early years as a housemaid and her ambitions to advance in society. It was a component of the BBC’s historic sitcom season, which brought back beloved British sitcoms in fresh ways. But Dame Patricia was very clear that she had no interest in it.
Dame Patricia Routledge, who is now 95 years old, was candid when questioned about the Young Hyacinth project. “Why are they doing this sort of thing?” she asked, dismissing the idea directly rather than accepting it as a tribute. They must be in dire straits. It has nothing to do with me. Allow them to continue.Her response was in stark contrast to the excitement of others working on the spin-off, such as Kerry Howard, who had anticipated the tribute would make Routledge feel honored.
Howard, who assumed Hyacinth’s role as a child, said that Dame Patricia’s direct reply made him upset. She expressed her opinions about the experienced actress’ position in an interview with Radio Times:
Yes, it is somewhat depressing, isn’t it? She was critical of the entire project.Howard defended the goal of Young Hyacinth, saying that it was an attempt to investigate the character’s beginnings rather than to reproduce or replace Keeping Up Appearances. “We’re not recreating her show,” she hypothesized, suggesting that Dame Patricia might have misinterpreted the prequel’s idea. We’re going back in time to describe her personality. She is unaware of that. I believe she was thinking that someone actress would step up and play her role, which is why she behaved in that way. However, it isn’t the case.In spite of Dame Patricia’s criticism, Young Hyacinth earned positive reviews from critics and attracted over 4 million viewers in just one week. However, no subsequent episodes were commissioned, thus it remained a one-off special.
Young Hyacinth’s dismissal by Dame Patricia is consistent with her long-held conviction that one should know when to give up on a good endeavor. In 1995, she decided to discontinue Keeping Up Appearances, even though the BBC wanted to keep making fresh episodes.Dame Patricia Routledge Remembers… Keeping Up Appearances on BBC Four asked her why, saying: “I brought it to an end, which, of course, the BBC didn’t care for very much.” I believed the author was starting to rehash already published concepts.She cited the famous comic Ronnie Barker’s advice to quit a show while it was at its best rather than letting it deteriorate.
When he reached the top of something, he would invariably stop and go, leaving onlookers to ask, ‘Oh, aren’t you doing any more?’ Instead of asking, “Is that still on?”Moving on was crucial for Dame Patricia. She considered herself as an actress, not merely a comedy star, even if she recognized the cultural significance of Keeping Up Appearances.Really, that’s the place to be, and I had other things to do. I wanted to play other people’s stories since I’m an actress.Keeping Up Appearances is still one of the most beloved British sitcoms ever, even in the absence of a successful spin-off. With Hyacinth’s fixation with social standing and her interactions with her unlucky husband Richard, anxious neighbor Elizabeth, and slothful brother-in-law Onslow still making people laugh decades later, its repeats continue to draw viewers from all over the world.Dame Patricia is committed to delivering great stories, which is why she is reluctant to return to the realm of Keeping Up Appearances. She has always put artistic integrity ahead of nostalgia, even though she loves the part that made her famous.
Fans of Keeping Up Appearances continue to honor Hyacinth Bucket’s legacy in spite of her firm position. References to her “Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles” and candlelight suppers are still instantly identifiable, demonstrating the character’s enduring influence.
But for Dame Patricia, the past is still the past. Although she acknowledges the popularity of Keeping Up Appearances, she has stated that she is not interested in a prequel, sequel, or any other kind of return to Hyacinth’s world.She answered, “Let them get on with it,” and she has done just that.
