Keeping Up Appearances first hit our screens in 1990 and the BBC sitcom has since become a classic, with fans still quoting the iconic lines to this day – but what happened to the cast?
As actress Dame Patricia Routledge – aka Hyacinth Bucket – is laid to rest, what became of the other stars from the hit 90s show?
The iconic performer will be buried today after she her agent announced that she’d died “peacefully in her sleep surrounded by love,” on October 3. The statement read: “Even at 96-years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as new generations of audiences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles. She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world.”
READ MORE: Patricia Routledge’s co-stars and fans pay tribute as Keeping Up Appearances icon diesREAD MORE: Patricia Routledge’s health battles as Keeping Up Appearances legend dies
Thirty five years have passed since Hyacinth Bucket – or Bouquet, as she preferred – first answered her “white slimline telephone with automatic redial”, announcing, “The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking”. Keeping Up Appearances ran from 1990 to 1995 and centred on Hyacinth’s botched attempts to climb the social ladder.
A triumph not only in Britain, the sitcom has won admirers across the globe, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland, and stands as the most exported BBC series ever made
But what happened to the cast once the cameras stopped rolling?
Richard Bucket – Clive Swift
Hyacinth’s ever-patient husband, Richard Bucket (Clive Swift), was far more down-to-earth than his status-seeking wife, once quipping, “It was always ‘Bucket’ until I met you!”. Over the years, Clive starred in a host of other TV shows, including Doctor Who, Peak Practice and The Old Guys. Sadly, the beloved Royal Shakespeare Company actor passed away in 2019 at the age of 82.
He is survived by his three children, one of whom is Gardener’s World presenter Joe Swift. Following his death, onscreen wife Patricia released a touching statement: “Clive was a skillful and inventive actor with wide experience, as his successful career proved.”
I so much admire what he brought to the barely sketched role of Hyacinth’s husband and treasure the memories of our happy collaboration. “
Elizabeth Warden – Josephine Towson
The Buckets’ anxious neighbour, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Warden, portrayed by actress Josephine Tewson, also contributed to making the sitcom unforgettable, with her nervous tendency to smash Hyacinth’s treasured china.
Comedy legend Josephine, who also appeared as Miss Lucinda Davenport in the Yorkshire-set sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 2003 to 2010. She subsequently performed a one-woman show titled Still Keeping Up Appearances, a reference to her previous triumph, from 2012 until her retirement in 2019.
In 2015, Josephine discussed her experience working on Keeping Up Appearances during an interview with Kent Online, including her working relationship with the show’s lead, Patricia. RADA graduate Josephine disclosed: “I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of her, but nevertheless, she’s very professional and absolutely marvellous to work with.” Josephine died in August 2022, aged 91.
Emmet Hawksworth – David Griffin
Another prominent character in the series was Elizabeth’s brother Emmet, portrayed by David Griffin who joined the cast in season two. David subsequently toured with Su Pollard in The Good Sex Guide and starred in numerous pantomime productions across the country.
Now 82, David is seldom spotted onscreen and little is known about his personal life, apart from the fact he is happily married to his French wife.
Onslow – Geoffrey Hughes
Onslow, Hyacinth’s workshy brother-in-law, proved a persistent thorn in the side of the social-climbing snob’s aristocratic pretensions, representing everything she despised. Played by Geoffrey Hughes, Onslow became series creator Roy Clarke’s favourite character – though Hyacinth would undoubtedly have disagreed.
Whilst Keeping Up Appearances remains his most iconic role, Geoffrey also appeared as Vernon Scripps in Heartbeat and Twiggy in The Royle Family. Tragically, following a battle with prostate cancer in the 1990s and stepping away from acting after the disease returned in 2010, he died in 2012 aged 68.
Daisy – Judy Cornwell
Daisy, Onslow’s other half and Hyacinth’s sister, was brought to life by Judy Cornwell. In stark contrast to her pretentious sibling, Daisy embraced a more relaxed approach to life and found joy in modest pleasures, prompting Hyacinth to frequently dismiss her as “lower class”. Following the show’s conclusion, Judy appeared in other hit programmes including Midsomer Murders and Birds of a Feather.
Yet her most unforgettable performance came as Queenie, Heather Trott’s mother, in BBC soap EastEnders. Beyond her acting credentials, Judy, now 84, has demonstrated considerable literary prowess, authoring multiple successful novels throughout her career, such as Cow and Cow Parsley (1985), Fishcakes at the Ritz (1989), The Seventh Sunrise (1994), and Fear and Favour (1996).
Rose – Shirley Stelfox
Another familiar presence in the series is Shirley Stelfox, who memorably played Hyacinth’s romance-fixated sister Rose, before Mary Millar assumed the part. Despite her brief time on the show, Shirley was a familiar face on television, with roles in Brookside, EastEnders and Family Affairs.
However, she is best remembered for her role in Emmerdale, where she portrayed the beloved character Edna Birch for fifteen years, from 2000 to 2015.
Tragically, Shirley died in 2015 at the age of 74, just weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
READ MORE: Oodie launches huge Black Friday sale with up to 50% off
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply