Obituary: Graduate Dame Patricia Routledge, actor, singer, comedian, dies at 96

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The University of Liverpool is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge DBE, a distinguished alumna, philanthropist, and award-winning actor. Dame Patricia passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 96.

Born in Tranmere, Birkenhead, Dame Patricia gained scholarships to attended Birkenhead High School and later continued her studies at the University of Liverpool, studying for a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature. At school and university, she showed a strong interest in performing and singing – becoming a leading member of the Drama Society and the Music Society during her time at the University.

Dame Patricia made her professional stage debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1952 as Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, before making her London debut at the Westminster Theatre in 1954 in Sheridan’s The Duenna. From here she landed leading West End roles including the part of Agatha Posket in Pinero’s The Magistrate. Her talent took her to Broadway where she starred in Darling of the Day, for which she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She later went on to receive an Olivier Award for her role as the Old Lady in Candide in 1988.

Dame Patricia played a series of serious and comedic roles, as well as roles in musicals. She’s perhaps best known for her character Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, for which she was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance in 1992 and 1993. She also starred in film, with notable appearances in To Sir, with Love (1967) and Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968).

Outside of her work on the stage and in television, Dame Patricia dedicated much of her life to charitable causes and significant national institutions. She served as Vice-President of the Royal United Kingdom and Beneficent Association and President of the Claire House appeal, a children’s hospice based in Merseyside.

Photo credit: R T Quayle Commercial Photographer

The University was proud to award Dame Patricia an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 1999 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to theatre and television.

Dame Patricia became a long-standing donor of the University, supporting bursaries for students studying English Literature. As an advocate for supporting access to the arts, she served as a campaign ambassador and donor for the University’s music venue The Tung Auditorium in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, where a green room is dedicated in her name.

In 2024, Dame Patricia returned to the University to celebrate the second anniversary of The Tung Auditorium. She took part in an ‘In conversation’ event with journalist and radio presenter Edward Seckerson, where she reminisced about her illustrious career, and shared moving and at times, emotional insights into her musical journey.

She will be remembered with deep gratitude and admiration. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

Dame Patricia’s education and career highlights:

  • Birkenhead High School
  • University of Liverpool, Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature 1951
  • Made her professional debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1952
  • Starred in her London debut at the Westminster Theatre in 1954 in Sheridan’s The Duenna
  • Won a Tony Award for her part as Alice Challice in Darling Of The Day in 1968
  • Won an Olivier Award for her role as the Old Lady in Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide in 1988
  • Awarded an OBE in 1993 for her contribution to drama
  • Starred as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances from 1990 to 1995
  • Voted the nation's most popular actress at the BBC's 60th anniversary awards in 1996
  • Received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon LittD) in 1999 from the University of Liverpool
  • Awarded a DBE in the New Year Honours 2017 for services to theatre and charity
  • Received the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, the highest civil honour Wirral can bestow, in January 2025.