Katherine Patricia Routledge CBE was born in Birkenhead, Liverpool on 17th February 1929. Famous for her comic turn as Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sit-com Keeping Up Appearances (co-starring Geoffrey Hughes) she also starred in the gentle detective drama Hetty Wainthropp Investigates about a crime-solving Northern pensioner. Her extensive career includes roles on stage with many leading roles in West End productions. She won a Tony award for her role in the Broadway musical Darling of the Day. On the radio she has made several series of Ladies of Letters with Prunella Scales