Patricia Routledge

Do you still feel vulnerable, Patricia, after all these years of being up there?

Oh, yes, because every time you appear in front of a camera or walk out onto a stage For me it's like the first time. Even night after night. Uh when you put your hand on the handle of that door. Uh it's an unknown quantity, however much you've rehearsed.

What did make [Hyacinth Bucket] tick?

I mean, she's just sort of riddled with social pretension. That's right, that's what made her tick. But also, coupled with that was her aim for everything to be right and to be the best, which is a good thing. It got out of hand, obviously, in that she had to be above the Joneses next door. But she was vulnerable. She was always getting it wrong and slipping on the banana skin and then coming back and flying the flag again.

What would have happened if you'd been a bad girl [at home]?

Oh, well, I wouldn't have been uh heavily punished. But uh uh there was a tremendous sense of discipline at home, you know. A very loving atmosphere. But you knew your place, actually.