In memoriam: Dame Patricia Routledge

LJMU is saddened to hear of the passing of star of the stage and screen, and Honorary Fellow, Dame Patricia Routledge aged 96. 

Most widely known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia, originally from Birkenhead, had an illustrious career in film, TV and theatre, and was a proud fellow and keen supporter of the university.

She made her professional stage debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1952 and her Broadway debut in How's the World Treating You in 1966. She won the 1968 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Darling of the Day, and the 1988 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Candide. She was a close friend of playwright and author Alan Bennett who wrote three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues for the actress.

She was made an OBE in 1993, a CBE in 2004, and a dame in 2017.

An honorary fellowship was bestowed on the actress from LJMU in 1993.  

Highlights of her relationship with LJMU include when she returned to Liverpool in November 2011 for an ‘In Conversation With…’ event to talk with journalist and broadcaster Edward Seckerson about her career, and then to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Liverpool Playhouse where she first worked.

In 2017 she joined events in London, hosted by LJMU’s Chancellor at the time, Sir Brian Leveson, meeting with exceptional students from the university specially selected to attend the celebration.