In the golden era of British sitcoms, “Keeping Up Appearances” charmed audiences with its hilarious portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket’s relentless pursuit of social status. While the show waved farewell in 1995, the cast members continue to carve their paths in the world of entertainment. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore what the stars of the iconic series are up to today.
Patricia Routledge
The illustrious Dame Katherine Patricia Routledge captured the hearts of audiences as Hyacinth Bucket in the beloved BBC sitcom “Keeping Up Appearances” from 1990 to 1995. Her portrayal earned her BAFTA nominations and a British Comedy Award. Beyond Hyacinth, Routledge’s theatrical journey spans a Tony Award for “Darling of the Day” and an Olivier Award for “Candide.” Her enchanting voice, oscillating between mezzo-soprano and contralto, graced musicals like “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Carousel.” After her damehood in 2017, she continues to dazzle on stage, touring with “Facing The Music” since 2019, a captivating exploration of her musical theatre journey.
In Film & other TV, Routledge’s legacy extends from classics like “To Sir, with Love” to her critically acclaimed role in “Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.” At 94, she praised fans in the 2023 Channel 5 special, “30 Years Of Laughs.”
Dame Routledge is a dedicated patron of the Beatrix Potter Society and an ambassador for the Royal Voluntary Service. Even in her retirement, she received an honorary membership from the Royal Academy of Music in 2021. She now occasionally graces theatres for insightful “in conversation with” sessions across the UK.
Patricia will be appearing at the Oxford Playhouse on Sunday, November 12th 2023, to talk about her career.
Judy Cornwall
Beyond her 44 episodes as Daisy, Cornwell’s career is one of varied performances, from “Moody and Pegg” to roles in “Doctor Who” and “EastEnders,”.
Cornwell’s film career includes a memorable stint as Anya Claus in “Santa Claus: The Movie.” Post-retirement from on-screen appearances in 2014, she rekindled her love for the stage, portraying Miss Marple in productions like “A Murder Is Announced”.
In 2020, she Celebrated 60 years of marriage with her husband John Kelsall Parry.
Philip Jeremy Gittins
The charming ‘dishy’ vicar in “Keeping Up Appearances” embraced the pinnacle of British sitcoms from 1990 to 1995. Post the show’s curtain call, Gittins continued gracing television screens with appearances in iconic series like “Doctor Who,” “Boon,” and “New Tricks.”
As well as Keeping Up Appearances, he has also made appearances in several other sitcoms, namely Fresh Fields, Terry and June, Andy Capp, Blackadder Goes Forth and The Upper Hand. In 2005, Jeremy also appeared in Footballer’s Wives.
Jeremy was last seen on TV on a 2020 episode of the quiz show Pointless.
David Griffin
David played the part of Hyacinth’s downtrodden neighbour Emmet Hawksworth. Post his Keeping Up Appearances stint, Griffin took to the stage, starring in pantomimes and touring with Su Pollard in “The Good Sex Guide.”
Griffin captivated audiences as Squadron Leader Clive Dempster in Hi-de-Hi, and now at the age of 80, has toured with Sue Pollard in the “The Good Sex Guide”. Furthermore, David still works actively on the panto scene.
David Janson
Who can forget the postman’s hilarious attempts at avoiding Hyacinth? Well, David Janson played that role brilliantly.
His journey began with a role in The Beatles’ film “A Hard Day’s Night,” achieved fame as Jimmy Harker in “The Newcomers” and later as Herr Otto Flick in “‘Allo ‘Allo!” Post a diverse career on-screen, Janson made a notable shift to directing West End productions.
His directorial venture, the 2019 stage show “Hormonal Housewives,” showcases Janson’s evolving role from actor to influential theatre director.
Marion Barron
Renowned as the vicar’s timid yet fiery wife in Keeping Up Appearances. Beyond the sitcom’s success, she graced screens in “Don’t Wait Up” and “Screen Two.” In 2019, she appeared as ‘Val’ in “This Time With Alan Partridge”.
Marrion Barron is still acting occasionally, recently appearing in the 2020 crime thriller “We Hunt Together”, which is broadcast on the channel Alibi in the UK.