Dame Patricia Routledge breaks into the warmest smile while reminiscing about her visits to Australia and reflecting on her stellar stage and screen career, which is now in its eighth decade.
“When I think about my showbiz life, I’ve loved every minute,” says the British-born star from her Chichester, UK, home.
“As a youngster I dreamed of becoming a schoolteacher. Driving around in a flashy red sports car, with romances all over Europe during the holidays,” laughs the spry nonagenarian, who adds that acting became her calling.
Even at 94, the screen legend is still keeping up appearances!
(Credit: Getty)“I began performing while at university. Then in 1952 I was fortunate to start work at the Liverpool Playhouse.
I did everything from sweeping the floor to ensuring the actors made it to the stage on time,” she explains, in her famous rounded tones.
“That same year I made my professional stage debut in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Liverpool Playhouse. What a thrill that was!”
Actress Patricia Routledge in ‘Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV’.
(Credit: Getty)What followed has been an extraordinary acting and singing career that has captivated millions of fans all over the world and, as a testament to her talents, a mantle brimming with prestigious accolades, including an Olivier Award in the UK and a Tony for her starring role in
a Broadway musical.
“The theatre is my first love, but I’ve also been blessed to have enjoyed great success on TV and in the movies.”
Hyacinth is one of TV’s most loved characters.
(Credit: Getty)A legend is born
In 1990, Dame Patricia landed the plum role of snobbish social climber Hyacinth Bucket in the TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.
“Hyacinth leapt from the page. I started to read that first script at 1am and couldn’t put it down.”
“Her delusions of grandeur were outrageous. She sparked my imagination, and I drew on the memories of several ladies I remember as a young girl. I have fond memories of working on that show and made many close friends.”
Patricia Routledge starring in The Importance Of Being Ernest,
(Credit: Getty)Sadly most of her co-stars – Clive Swift who played her hen-pecked husband Richard, Geoffrey Hughes who played slovenly Onslow, Josephine Tewson as neighbour Elizabeth and Mary Millar who played sex-mad Rose – have all gone.
“Their passings are a profound sadness to me,” she says.
Patricia in 1990 on ‘Keeping Up Appearances’.
(Credit: BBC One)Royal favourite
Keeping Up Appearances was an international hit and had many famous viewers, with Patricia revealing, “It was one of the Queen Mother’s favourite sitcoms.”
“And the late Queen Elizabeth liked it, too,” she says. “Hyacinth would be flattered beyond words!”
And while its popularity only grew each year, Hyacinth hung up her slimline phone “with last number redial” and put away her Royal Doulton tea set “with the hand-painted periwinkles” for the last time in 1995.
She received an MBE at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004.
(Credit: Getty)“I always think it’s better to go out on a high, leaving viewers wanting more than to linger too long and have them say, ‘Oh, is that still on?'”
In 2017 Patricia was made a dame for her services to theatre and charity.
“That was one of the highest highlights of my life. The then-Prince Charles – now King Charles – had a word in my ear… you know what he said? ‘At last they have noticed!'”
Patricia with Queen Camilla at the ‘Our Amazing People’ campaign in 2017.
(Credit: Getty)In 2000 Dame Patricia made her first trip to Australia, to star in the stage production of The Importance Of Being Earnest.
“I loved Australia so much, I returned for a holiday the following year and flew to Cairns, where I enjoyed the Great Barrier Reef before catching the Great South Pacific Express train to Sydney where I caught up with friends before travelling to Melbourne.”
“In 2014 I returned again to appear in another play. It’s always such a joy because Australian audiences are wonderful,” she enthuses.
‘The Queen loved Hyacinth Bucket!’
(Credit: Getty)Although mostly retired, Dame Patricia still tours with her conversation piece, Facing The Music, travelling around the UK and Ireland.
“You know, to still be working is such a thrill, as is getting out of bed each morning,” she laughs.
