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Star Dame Patricia Routledge, famous for embodying the character Hyacinth Bucket in the popular television comedy the series Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the 96, according to.

Beyond that, she appeared in monologues by Alan Bennett and took on the role of BBC One's amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

"We are deeply saddened to share the loss of Patricia Routledge, who left this world peacefully in her sleep today surrounded by love."

"At the remarkable age of 96, Dame Patricia's love for performing and for reaching out to fans stayed vibrant, just as modern audiences keep discovering her work through her cherished TV characters."

The statement noted: "Her absence will be deeply felt by her inner circle and by her devoted admirers worldwide."

Decades of Performance

Dame Patricia was primarily recognized as Hyacinth Bucket - with the affected pronunciation "bouquet" - a funny persona who embodied the extremes of affectation and class consciousness.

"Hyacinth is a terrible snob and I had great fun with the role tremendously," the actress said.

The series Keeping Up Appearances aired from the early 1990s, and soon after she was chosen as the nation's most popular actress at the BBC anniversary ceremony.

She also found acclaim in theater and film after starting her career in the stage in the 1950s era.

Following roles in London theater, she made a name in the United States when she won the Tony for outstanding actress in a musical on Broadway for the musical Darling of the Day in 1968.

She proved equally skilled at dramatic roles as she was at song-and-dance and humor - she performed in classic plays at the prestigious theater company, then earned an theater prize for best actress in a musical for the production Candide in the eighties.

The 1980s also witnessed her emergence as a true national TV star - being given roles by comedian Victoria Wood in the show As Seen on TV, and writer Alan Bennett in multiple solo performances, including her Bafta-nominated role, for which she earned a British Academy nomination.

She received additional Bafta nods, for the popular sitcom, in 1992 and 93, then took the lead in the title role as a retired woman on a journey into detective work in Hetty Wainthropp between the late 1990s.

She was made an Order of the British Empire in 1993, a CBE in 2004, and damehood in 2017.

An Enduring Impact

Through her iconic performances, Patricia Routledge provided comedy and joy to audiences worldwide, establishing a impressive collection of performances that will continue to be celebrated by fans into the future.