RIP Mrs Bucket! Patricia Routledge dies at 96

Actress Dame Patricia Routledge, known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in classic TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 96.

She also starred in Alan Bennett’s TV monologues and played BBC One’s amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp, while also enjoying an acclaimed stage career.

Her agent told the PA news agency on Friday that she died “peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love”.

The BBC’s director of comedy was among those paying tribute, saying she “made millions laugh and left a legacy that will always be remembered with gratitude and admiration”…