Katherine Patricia Routledge was born on February 17, 1929. Patricia Routledge quickly established herself as a major character actress and she became known as "the female Stan Laurel". In her next BBC hit, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Routledge, as in her acclaimed sitcom, was the dominant figure in her household. Patricia Routledge was awarded an OBE in 1993, a CBE in 2004, and was made a dame in Britain’s 2017 New Year Honours. Paying tribute, Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, said: "We are so sad to hear of the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 21, 2025 04:11 UTC