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Star Patricia Routledge, best known for portraying Hyacinth Bucket in the popular TV sitcom the series Keeping Up Appearances, has left us at the age of 96, according to.

Additionally, she appeared in monologues by Alan Bennett and played the BBC's amateur detective Hetty Wainthropp.

"It is with great sadness to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep today surrounded by love."

"Despite her advanced years, Dame Patricia's dedication to acting and for engaging with theatergoers never waned, just as modern audiences keep discovering her work through her beloved screen performances."

Her agent added: "She will be dearly missed by her family and friends and by her devoted admirers worldwide."

A Life in the Spotlight

Dame Patricia was primarily recognized as Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced "bouquet" - a comic creation who represented the peak of affectation and class consciousness.

"She is a wonderfully awful character and I loved portraying her enormously," the actress said.

The series Keeping Up Appearances was broadcast from the early 1990s, and soon after she was voted the UK's favorite actress at the television awards.

She also earned praise on stage as well as screen after launching her acting journey in the theatre in the 1950s.

With performances in London theater, she made a name in the United States when she received the Tony for outstanding actress in a musical on Broadway in New York for the musical Darling of the Day in 1968.

She was as adept at dramatic roles as she was at song-and-dance and humor - she performed in Richard III and Henry V at the RSC, then received an Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for the production Candide in the eighties.

The 1980s also marked her rise as a household name - being given roles by Victoria Wood in her comedy series, and Alan Bennett in his acclaimed monologue series, including her Bafta-nominated role, for which she received a Bafta nomination.

She garnered additional Bafta nods, for Keeping Up Appearances, in the early 1990s, then took the lead in the title role as a retired woman on a mission to investigate mysteries in BBC One's Hetty Wainthropp Investigates between 1996 to 1998.

She received an Order of the British Empire in 1993, a Commander of the British Empire in the 2000s, and a dame in 2017.

An Enduring Impact

Via her unforgettable roles, Dame Patricia Routledge provided comedy and entertainment to countless viewers, creating a impressive collection of performances that remains cherished by fans for generations to come.