Merseyside-born actress Dame Patricia Routledge has died at the age of 96. Dame Patricia became best known for her role as the lead in BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances alongside Liverpool actors Clive Swift and Geoffrey Hughes. She became an established figure in America during that time by winning a Tony Award for best lead actress in Broadway musical Darling of the Day in 1968. Dame Patricia also won a British Comedy Award for her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket during a five-year run of Keeping Up Appearances between 1990 and 1995. In a statement, her agent said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love.