Dame Patricia Routledge’s Blunt Response to Keeping Up Appearances Spin-Off: “They Must Be Desperate”

Few television characters have left as lasting an impression as Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet), the self-important, socially ambitious force at the center of Keeping Up Appearances. But while the show remains a beloved British sitcom classic, Dame Patricia Routledge, who brought Hyacinth to life, has been vocal about her disapproval of the BBC’s 2016 spin-off, Young Hyacinth.

The prequel, which starred Kerry Howard as a young Hyacinth, aimed to explore the character’s formative years as a housemaid and her early attempts to climb the social ladder. It was part of the BBC’s Landmark Sitcom Season, a project that revived classic British comedies with new interpretations. However, Dame Patricia made it abundantly clear that she wanted no part in it.

Now 95, Dame Patricia Routledge did not hold back when asked about the Young Hyacinth project. Instead of embracing the idea as a tribute, she dismissed it outright, stating:”Why are they doing this sort of thing? They must be desperate… Nothing to do with me. Let them get on with it.”Her reaction was a sharp contrast to the enthusiasm of those involved in the spin-off, including Kerry Howard, who had hoped that Routledge would feel honored by the homage.

Howard, who stepped into the younger version of Hyacinth’s shoes, admitted feeling saddened by Dame Patricia’s blunt response. In an interview with Radio Times, she shared her thoughts on the veteran actress’s stance:

“Oh, it’s so sad, isn’t it? She was scathing about the whole project.”Howard defended the intention behind Young Hyacinth, arguing that it wasn’t an attempt to replace or recreate Keeping Up Appearances, but rather an effort to explore the character’s origins. She speculated that Dame Patricia may have misunderstood the concept of the prequel:”We’re not recreating her show. We’re going backwards and explaining her character. She doesn’t know that. I think that’s why she responded like that because she was thinking some other actress is going to come along and play her part. But it’s not that at all.”Despite Dame Patricia’s disapproval, Young Hyacinth was well-received by critics and drew an audience of over 4 million viewers within a week of airing. However, it remained a one-off special, with no follow-up episodes commissioned.

Dame Patricia’s dismissal of Young Hyacinth aligns with her long-standing belief in knowing when to walk away from a successful project. She made the decision to end Keeping Up Appearances in 1995, despite the BBC’s desire to continue producing new episodes.Explaining her reasoning on BBC Four’s Dame Patricia Routledge Remembers… Keeping Up Appearances, she said:”I brought it to an end, which, of course, the BBC didn’t care for very much. I thought the writer was beginning to recycle old ideas.”She referenced legendary comedian Ronnie Barker’s philosophy of leaving a show at its peak, rather than allowing it to decline in quality.

“He always stopped when he was at the height of something and he always left with people saying, ‘Oh, aren’t you doing any more?’ Rather than people saying, ‘Is that still on?'”For Dame Patricia, moving on was essential. While she acknowledged the cultural significance of Keeping Up Appearances, she saw herself as an actress, not just a sitcom star.”That’s the place to be, really, and I had other adventures to explore. I’m an actress, and I wanted to take on the stories of other people.”Even without a successful spin-off, Keeping Up Appearances remains one of the most cherished British sitcoms of all time. Its reruns continue to attract audiences worldwide, with Hyacinth’s obsession with social status and her interactions with her hapless husband Richard, nervous neighbor Elizabeth, and lazy brother-in-law Onslow still generating laughs decades later.Dame Patricia’s reluctance to revisit the world of Keeping Up Appearances speaks to her dedication to quality storytelling. While she treasures the role that made her a household name, she has always prioritized artistic integrity over nostalgia.

Despite her strong stance, fans of Keeping Up Appearances continue to celebrate Hyacinth Bucket’s legacy. The character’s influence has endured, with references to her “Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles” and candlelight suppers still instantly recognizable.

For Dame Patricia, however, the past remains the past. While she appreciates the love audiences have for Keeping Up Appearances, she has made it clear that she has no interest in revisiting Hyacinth’s world—whether in a prequel, sequel, or any other form.”Let them get on with it,” she said—and that’s exactly what she has done.