Hundreds gather for Dame Patricia Routledge's funeral in Chichester - pictures

The actress was best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances.

Her funeral service at Chichester Cathedral was described as a celebration of a ‘dear friend,’ reflecting on her long life, remarkable career, and the joy she brought to millions. Dame Patricia died last month at the age of 96.

The service, held at 1 pm inside the historic cathedral, brought together friends, fans, and figures from the arts community to honour a performer whose career spanned more than seven decades.

From her Tony Award-winning performance in Darling of the Day in 1968 to her Olivier Award for Candide in 1988, her achievements on stage were as distinguished as her work on screen.

Audiences across generations cherished her as the ever-aspiring Hyacinth ‘Bouquet’ in Keeping Up Appearances, which ran from 1990 to 1995, and later as the determined yet kind-hearted detective in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

Away from television, she shared a close friendship with playwright Alan Bennett and was the first actress to perform in three of his acclaimed Talking Heads monologues, praised for her ability to blend humour with emotional depth.

Her career began in 1952 at the Liverpool Playhouse, marking the start of a lifelong dedication to performance.

In later years, she continued to support the arts while serving as an ambassador for Kidney Research UK.