List of Keeping Up Appearances episodes

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Keeping Up Appearances title card. Keeping Up Appearances screenshot.jpg
Keeping Up Appearances title card.

Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom, created by Roy Clarke, and broadcast on BBC1. It stars Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced 'Bouquet'), a social-climbing posh lady, intent on impressing the upper and upper-middle classes, and strives for social perfection. The series also features Clive Swift as Richard Bucket, Hyacinth's long-suffering husband, Josephine Tewson as Elizabeth Warden, Hyacinth’s next-door neighbour, Judy Cornwell and Shirley Stelfox as Hyacinth's sisters Daisy and Rose, and Geoffrey Hugues as Onslow, Daisy's husband. Additionally, Mary Millar replaced Shirley Stelfox as Rose for the remainder of the series, and David Griffin joined the cast as Emmet Hawksworth, Elizabeth's brother.

Contents

During the course of the programme, 44 episodes of Keeping Up Appearances aired over five series, between 29 October 1990 and 25 December 1995.

Overview

Series
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 629 October 1990 (1990-10-29)3 December 1990 (1990-12-03)
2 101 September 1991 (1991-09-01)3 November 1991 (1991-11-03)
Special25 December 1991 (1991-12-25)
3 76 September 1992 (1992-09-06)18 October 1992 (1992-10-18)
4 75 September 1993 (1993-09-05)17 October 1993 (1993-10-17)
Special26 December 1993 (1993-12-26)
Special25 December 1994 (1994-12-25)
5 103 September 1995 (1995-09-03)5 November 1995 (1995-11-05)
Special25 December 1995 (1995-12-25)

Episodes

Series 1 (1990)

The first series was broadcast on Mondays at 8:30 pm. [1]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate
11"Daddy's Accident"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke29 October 1990 (1990-10-29)

We are introduced to the prim and proper Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet), Hyacinth's long-suffering husband Richard and her less-than-socially-acceptable extended family. This episode sees Hyacinth learn that her Daddy is in hospital after falling off his bicycle (nude, chasing the milkwoman).

Guest starring Peter Cellier as Major Wilton-Smythe, Leo Dolan as the postman, Bruce Alexander (Superintendent Mullett in A Touch of Frost) as the doctor, James Ottaway as Mr Oxley, Paul Toothill as the Meter Man and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

Note: Also known as "The Name is Bouquet: B-U-C-K-E-T"
22"The New Vicar"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke5 November 1990 (1990-11-05)

Hyacinth's sister Daisy and her husband Onslow drop in while Hyacinth has the vicar and his wife to tea to announce that Daddy has run away with a gypsy. To make matters worse, a lovelorn Rose arrives to talk to the vicar about her own funeral.

Note: First appearance of Jeremy Gittins as the vicar and Marion Barron as his wife.

Guest-starring Eileen Davies as the gypsy and Jill O'Hare as the passerby.

Note: Also known as "Welcoming the Dishy Vicar"
33"Stately Home"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke12 November 1990 (1990-11-12)

Hyacinth drags Richard off to a day at Carldon Hall, their local country stately home, but decides to visit her father first. When she arrives, it turns out that he has 'escaped' from Daisy and Onslow's house by climbing down a drainpipe dressed as "Captain Midnight". He has apparently gone to save the woman at the Post Office from a "fate worse than death" at the hands of aliens. Hyacinth and Richard then visit the stately home. Hyacinth insists on hanging around the family staircase hoping to meet nobility. To her dismay, Onslow, Daisy and Rose turn up, forcing them to make a hasty exit.

Guest starring Michael Bilton as His Lordship, Eric Carte as the car-park attendant, Liz Gebhardt as the angry woman, Les Clack and Stella Kemball as Stately Home visitors and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

Note: Also known as "Visiting an Acquaintance's Stately Home"
44"The Charity Shop"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke19 November 1990 (1990-11-19)

Hyacinth does her weekly volunteering shift at the local charity shop with Elizabeth and the formidable, anti-romance-tirading Councillor Mrs Nugent; meanwhile, a woman claiming to be Hyacinth's father's fiancée has moved herself into his bedroom and Hyacinth is called to manage the situation. Councillor Nugent arrives to return some unsuitable underwear donations to the donor: Rose.

Note: Also known as "A Fate Worse than Senility"

Guest-starring Gretchen Franklin as Daddy's fiancée, Charmian May as Councillor Mrs Nugent, Leo Dolan as the postman, Norman Lovett as Mr Duxberry, Denis Bond as his mate and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
55"Daisy's Toyboy"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke26 November 1990 (1990-11-26)

In an attempt to make Onslow jealous, Daisy tries to convince him that she's found herself a 17-year-old "toyboy", but Onslow does not seem to notice. Meanwhile, the Ladies' Circle is expecting a guest speaker at the church hall and Hyacinth decides to take charge of the arrangements.

Guest-starring Jonny Lee Miller as the youth, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Robert Rawles as the milkman, Jeanne Mockford as Mrs East, Tricia Thorns as Mrs Dobson, Linda James and Pamela Abbott as ladies at church and Ian Burford as the neighbour.

Note: Also known as "Our Daisy and Her Toy Boy"
66"The Christening"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke3 December 1990 (1990-12-03)

On Daisy and Onslow's new granddaughter Kylie's christening day, Great-Auntie Hyacinth is most displeased that the baby's mother, Daisy and Onslow's daughter Stephanie, is not married, but Richard encourages Hyacinth to attend the christening with an open mind. Then the mother and child fail to turn up, and Hyacinth and Richard go searching for them.

Note: Final appearance of Shirley Stelfox as Rose. Bruce and Violet make a cameo first appearance, although played by uncredited actors.

Guest-starring Gerald Sim as the vicar, Laura Shavin as Stephanie, Richard Ashton and Rick Friend as the hippies, Jonathan Fryer as Dennis, Bruce Bennett as Reg, Patricia Leach as Mrs Midgeley and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

Note: Also known as "How to Manage a Family Christening"

Series 2 (1991)

The second series was broadcast on Sundays at 7:15 pm. [2] The 1991 Christmas special was broadcast on Wednesday night at 8:50 pm. [3]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate
Series
71"A Strange Man"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke1 September 1991 (1991-09-01)

Hyacinth is shocked to see a strange man wearing only a towel emerge from Elizabeth's house to get the newly-delivered milk, sending her into a tiz at what she perceives as the moral degradation of the neighbourhood. The man turns out to be Elizabeth's brother Emmet, who lost his home in a messy divorce and has moved in with his sister. Once she finds out that he's a musician, Hyacinth sings at him at every opportunity and soon he is completely terrified of her. Meanwhile, Daddy has gone missing again.

Note: First appearance of David Griffin as Emmet and Mary Millar in the role of Rose.

Guest starring Robert Rawles as the milkman and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
82"Driving Mrs Fortescue"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke8 September 1991 (1991-09-08)

Hyacinth and Richard drive the wealthy Mrs Fortescue, a brash and sharp-tongued woman "whose sister married a baronet", into town. Hyacinth's plans to impress her are crushed when Daisy and Rose flag down the Buckets for a lift and they all wind up in a local pub, where Mrs Fortescue has more fun with Daisy and Rose than with Hyacinth.

Guest-starring Jean Anderson as Mrs Fortescue, Leonard Lowe as the pub customer and Michael Burrell as the neighbour.
93"The Candlelight Supper"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke15 September 1991 (1991-09-15)

Hyacinth wants to impress Emmet with her musical talents at an elaborate musical candlelight supper. Her plans backfire when a short-skirted Rose turns up followed by two aggressive men who fight on the doorstep.

Guest-starring Dicken Ashworth as Boris, Gregory Cox as Mr Helliwell and Stuart Sherwin as man with dog.
104"Golfing with the Major"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke22 September 1991 (1991-09-22)

The Major invites the Buckets to a golfing weekend at The Chesford Grange Hotel. All is well until Onslow and Daisy turn up unexpectedly to collect Rose, who has spent an amorous weekend with a Mr Smith in Room 210. When Hyacinth realises that her family is there, she fears for her social standing. Adding to her dilemma are the amorous intentions of the Major.

Note: Elizabeth and Emmet do not appear in this episode. This is also the only episode that Elizabeth (Josephine Tewson) does not appear in.

Alternative title: "Hyacinth Tees Off"

Guest starring Peter Cellier as Major Wilton-Smythe, Bernard Archard and Dinah Sheridan as the hotel guests, Sally Hughes as the receptionist, Christopher Mitchell and Eamonn Clarke as the porters and Sharon White as the chambermaid.
115"Problems with Relatives"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke29 September 1991 (1991-09-29)

Hyacinth's brother-in-law Bruce is stuck up a tree and Daddy goes to the register office to be married. Liz offers to drive Daddy back to Daisy's, but to avoid them seeing how Daisy and Onslow live, Hyacinth insists they stop off at Violet's.

Note: On some DVDs, this episode is titled "The Googley-Eyed Registrar." [4]

Guest starring Brendan O'Hea as the missionary, Simon Merrick as the committee chairman, Robert Bain as the committee member, Helen Christie as the registrar and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
126"Onslow's Birthday"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke6 October 1991 (1991-10-06)

Hyacinth is dreading an invite to Onslow's birthday party, but changes her mind when Rose says her wealthy Greek boyfriend will pick up Hyacinth and Richard in one of his 'big cars'. So she decides to hold 'pre-lunch cocktails' at her home to impress the neighbours as she departs in the luxury vehicle. Her hopes disintegrate when a hearse arrives.

Guest starring Peter Cellier as Major Wilton-Smythe, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife, Anthony Dawes as the jeweller, Ivan Santos as Mr Marinopolous, Simon Merrick as the committee chairman and Robert Bain as the committee member.

Note: Also known as "Cocktails with a Greek Shipping Millionaire" and "Happy Birthday, Onslow!"
137"Singing for Emmet"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke13 October 1991 (1991-10-13)

Richard is offered early retirement and ponders a future spending all day every day with Hyacinth. Emmet is enraged when Hyacinth ends up rehearsing a performance for the old people at the Church Hall with him and a tranquilised Rose arrives at the scene wanting to become a nun.

Guest starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife and Nigel Williams as Mr Penworthy.

Note: Also known as "The Unfortunate Prospect of Early Retirement."
148"The Toy Store"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke20 October 1991 (1991-10-20)

Daddy has ended up at the toy store dressed as an astronaut and is "improving" a few toys with the help of a screwdriver: total cost 235 quid. Hyacinth's social status is nearly ruined when she encounters Mrs Councillor Nugent in town while attempting to retrieve Daddy.

Guest-starring Charmian May as Councillor Mrs Nugent, John Pennington as the store official, David Warwick as his assistant, Juliet Douglas as the salesgirl, John Owens as the insurance salesman, Robert Bain as Frank and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

Note: Also known as "Playthings for Daddy"
159"The Three-Piece Suite"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke27 October 1991 (1991-10-27)

Hyacinth excitedly anticipates the arrival of her new three-piece suite ("an exact replica of the one at Sandringham House!") delivered (and making Mrs Barker-Finch jealous. She's giving Daisy and Onslow her old suite, provided that they pick it up themselves. These two events will likely collide at some point, creating another social disaster.

Guest-starring Nick Burnell as the driver and David Keller as his mate.

Note: Also known as "The Important Delivery"
1610"A Picnic for Daddy"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke3 November 1991 (1991-11-03)

Hyacinth arranges a special picnic for Daddy, but things go awry when the senile old man decides to drive the Buckets' car away, resulting in a car chase between him and the rest of the family. Onslow's car breaks down, so the vicar and his wife pick up Hyacinth and her family.

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).


Note: Also known as "Hyacinth's Picnic Panic"
Special
17S"The Father Christmas Suit"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke25 December 1991 (1991-12-25)

Hyacinth hires a Father Christmas outfit for Richard to wear when distributing gifts to the old people at the Church Hall. Against his will, Richard puts it on, but after one too many sherries with Emmet, Elizabeth must don the outfit and pretend to be him, but as usual, disaster strikes.

Guest starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Tony Kemp as Mr Sudbury, Mark Brackenbury as Mr Thorgunby, Anett Peters as Mrs Thorgunby, Robert Packham as the postman and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

Note: Also known as "A Very Merry Hyacinth"

Series 3 (1992)

The third series was broadcast on Sundays at 7:15 pm. [5]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate
181"Early Retirement"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke6 September 1992 (1992-09-06)

Turning up for his final day at work, Richard finally faces the prospect of early retirement; meanwhile, Hyacinth telephones the Prime Minister, John Major, asking if anything's on the honours list for Richard. Later the house-proud lady prepares for a guest, but Rose's latest boyfriend's dog parks itself on her driveway.

Guest starring Ivor Danvers as Richard's boss, Robert Rawles as the milkman and Jon Glover as Roger.

Note: Also known as "The Honourable Richard B-u-c-k-e-t"
192"Iron Age Remains"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke13 September 1992 (1992-09-13)

Now that Richard is retired, Hyacinth decides to expand their knowledge of local history. The pair head off into the country in search of Iron Age remains. Meanwhile, a freshly-dumped Rose locks herself in her room and calls for the vicar.

Guest-starring David Janson as the postman and Jeremy Gittins as the vicar.
203"Violet's Country Cottage"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke20 September 1992 (1992-09-20)

Hyacinth borrows Violet and Bruce's luxury cottage for the weekend and prepares a barbecue. In an attempt to impress Bunty, the lady from the manor house, Hyacinth drinks a bit too much and gets carried away with the summer spirit while Richard searches for Bunty's dog and encounters her husband Dorian. Meanwhile, Daddy has a new Polish girlfriend, "Mrs Thing".

Guest-starring Marcia Warren as Bunty, Royce Mills as Dorian, Ian Burford as the neighbour and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
214"How to Go on Holiday Without Really Trying"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke27 September 1992 (1992-09-27)

Envious over a neighbour's luxury holiday, Hyacinth decides to impress the neighbours by pretending to go on an expensive vacation herself. Meanwhile, Onslow decides to take Richard away to help him discover "the joys of irresponsibility." Hyacinth has a humbling experience volunteering for church cleaning.

Note: Also known as "Travel Brochure"

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife and Karen Chatwin as the waitress.
225"Richard's New Hobby"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke4 October 1992 (1992-10-04)

Hyacinth gets Richard started filming with the videocamera he was awarded for his retirement and boasts to the neighbours that he is a film maker, which impresses Councillor Mrs Nugent, who is coming for afternoon tea. Then Onslow's car breaks down outside her house and Richard is brought home in a police car.

Guest-starring Charmian May as Councillor Mrs Nugent and Matthew Long and Jonathan Stratt as the policemen.

Note: Also known as "Richard in the Frame"
236"The Art Exhibition"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke11 October 1992 (1992-10-11)

Hyacinth's preparations to visit an art exhibition are thrown off-course when Daddy goes off to join the Foreign Legion. Rose and her latest boyfriend help hunt for him, not realising that their suggestive conversation is being broadcast throughout the neighbourhood. When Hyacinth finally finds Daddy he's holding a sign that reads "If you love me let me know" outside the home of his latest romantic interest.

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Nicholas Bennett as Mr Finchley, Jennifer Daniel as Mrs Lennox and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
247"What to Wear When Yachting"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke18 October 1992 (1992-10-18)

Hyacinth and Richard head off on a yachting weekend, only to discover that the boat is a small, dilapidated, moored-up vessel. Their attempts to move it downstream, away from a more-impressive yacht, end in disaster.

Guest-starring Tony Aitken as the TV repairman, Nicholas Boyce as the youth and Ian Collier as the sales assistant.

Series 4 (1993–94)

The fourth series and the 1993 Christmas special (Boxing Day) was broadcast on Sundays at 7:00 pm. [6] [7] The 1994 Christmas special was broadcast on Sunday evening at 5:25 pm. [8]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate
Series
251"A Job for Richard"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke5 September 1993 (1993-09-05)

Hyacinth's attempts to keep Richard's retirement interesting continue with her finding him a potential executive job in Frosticle's frozen foods; to impress the manager of the company she has contrived a plot involving Onslow and golf. Meanwhile, Hyacinth's Daddy is a naturist.

Guest-starring David Janson as the postman, Frederick Jaeger as Mr Millburn, Joe Dunlop as his companion and Michael L. Blair as the pillion rider.
262"Country Retreat"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke12 September 1993 (1993-09-12)

The Buckets search for "a little place in the country", but what Hyacinth really wants is something large and impressive. During their search an old farmer with a speech impediment takes a liking to her, but his wife is not so friendly. While checking out property Richard gets stuck in an attic and Hyacinth is chased by some sheep.

Guest-starring Denis Bond as the estate agent, Barrie Gosney as the yokel and Liz Daniels as his wife.
273"A Celebrity for the Barbecue"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke19 September 1993 (1993-09-19)

For her summer entertaining, Hyacinth has decided to host an elaborate indoors-outdoors luxury barbecue with finger buffet and she's determined to get a local celebrity as a guest, hoping to one-up those Barker-Finch neighbours! Richard reveals to Hyacinth that he sees C.P. Benedict, the manager of the local garden centre, walking his dog in the park; upon hearing this, Hyacinth is ecstatic and realises that she has seen C.P. Benedict on the television several times, so tries to make him come to her barbecue. Meanwhile, Daisy is convinced that Onslow is seeing another woman, so Rose gives Daisy a makeover to make her look more attractive for Onslow.

Guest starring Clovissa Newcombe as the cashier and Paul Williamson as C.P. Benedict.
284"The Commodore"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke26 September 1993 (1993-09-26)

Hyacinth switches on her sailing persona when volunteering to collect a guest-speaker Commodore from a railway station. Unfortunately Richard's car gets clamped and they cannot find the man they are to escort. When Hyacinth does finally meet the Commodore, she is unprepared for his attempts at seduction.

Guest-starring Nigel Davenport as the commodore, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Donald T. Allen as the stationmaster, Geraldine Newman as the chairlady, Linda James and Liz Edmiston as committee members, Ann Davies as the lady at the luncheon, Irene Sharp as the lady at the station, Gordon Peters as the ticket clerk, Leonard Lowe as a passenger and John Barrard as the homeowner.
295"Looking at Properties"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke3 October 1993 (1993-10-03)

A policeman arrives to inform Hyacinth that her senile Daddy has been kept at the police station for patrolling the town hall with a bayonet. She sends Richard (heavily disguised) to retrieve him while she goes to look at country properties with Elizabeth, but Richard is terrified that she'll get carried away and buy something they cannot afford.

Note: This and the following episode are sequels to #26.

Guest-starring John Phythian as the Constable, Terrence Hardiman as Eric, Jennifer Clulow as the estate agent, John Arnatt as Sir Edward, Eric Carte as Sergeant Watkins, Stuart Fell as the driver and the first credited appearance of George Webb as Daddy.
306"Please Mind Your Head"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke10 October 1993 (1993-10-10)

Hyacinth and Richard spend time in their very small apartment in the countryside. Hyacinth invites Elizabeth and Emmet for afternoon cucumber sandwiches, but bump into them on their way there and Hyacinth tries to give the impression that she can ride a horse. Later Emmet's head gets stuck in the ceiling after Elizabeth spills her ice-cold lemonade on him, as Hyacinth's other invited guests arrive.

Guest-starring David Janson as the postman, Robert Rawles as the milkman, Helen Dorward as the visitor and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).

No further references to the Buckets' summer home appear in the series.
317"Let There Be Light"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke17 October 1993 (1993-10-17)

Hyacinth has volunteered Richard to fix the church-hall electrics in time for the bring and buy sale, despite his lack of electrical capabilities. Meanwhile, Onslow, Daisy and Rose turn up with Daddy, who believes he is back in the war and he takes command when Richard's repair efforts end in disaster.

Guest-starring David Janson as the postman, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife, Sue Lloyd as Mrs Drummond, Pamela Abbott as the driver and George Webb as Daddy.
Specials
32S"Sea Fever"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke26 December 1993 (1993-12-26)

Hyacinth and Richard prepare for their luxury stay on the QE2 . Traffic problems, a muddy field and too much luggage result in a disastrous start to the holiday: they are too late to board the ship at Southampton and it leaves without them. But they finally board the ship by flying to meet it at Copenhagen, Denmark. Once on the ship, Hyacinth believes that Onslow and Daisy are also on board the luxury liner — as stowaways.

Note: This is the only episode that takes place in another country, as one scene takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark, though the scene was actually filmed in Oslo, Norway. [9]

Guest-starring Lord Lichfield as himself, Lyndsay Frost as himself, Alice Macdonald as the check-in girl, Mark Brignal as the port official, Bernard Holley as the restaurant manager, David Janson as the postman, Barry Bethell as the holidaymaker, The Band of the Welsh Fusiliers as themselves, The Mark Joyce Showband as themselves and Michael Cochrane as the ship officer.

The version of ‘Sea Fever’ on BBC iPlayer omits an entire scene with Barry Bethell owing to Bethell’s conviction in 2009 for child sex offences.
33S"Angel Gabriel Blue"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke25 December 1994 (1994-12-25)

Hyacinth searches for her dream kitchen worktop, while Richard has developed athlete's foot, a lower-class ailment Hyacinth does not approve of. As a result, she insists they call it gout, a disease supposedly caused by "an excess of good living". Meanwhile, Daddy has gone missing again and a stranger has taken over his bed.

Guest-starring Trevor Bannister as the salesman, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, George Webb as Daddy, Preston Lockwood as Mr Mawsby and Andrew Bicknell and Caroline Strong as the customers.

Series 5 (1995)

The fifth series was broadcast on Sundays at 8:30 pm. [10] The 1995 Christmas special was broadcast on Monday night at 8:00 pm. [11]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate
Series
341"The Senior Citizens' Outing"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke3 September 1995 (1995-09-03)

Hyacinth volunteers to look after some senior citizens on a church outing to Great Yarmouth. She gets more than she bargained for when the mischievous vicar assigns her an amorous old Italian and a motion-sickness-prone woman, as well as the long-suffering Elizabeth and Richard who is driving the minibus.

Guest-starring Angus Lennie as Mr Farrini, Derek Waring as Mr Cooper-Bassett, Rita Davies as Mrs Lomax, Eric Carte as the Sergeant, John Darrell as the Inspector, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife and Sheila Rennie as the lady helper.

Note: Also known as "Seaside Fun".
352"The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke10 September 1995 (1995-09-10)

Hyacinth prepares for the Mayor's fancy dress ball and is also on a mission to impress the new neighbours, a few streets away, but she's greatly displeased with the costumes Richard hires for them. After deciding on a better idea, Hyacinth finds that most of the female guests have exactly the same costume she has. Meanwhile, Rose is engaged to a Polish man whose name she cannot pronounce.

Guest-starring David Janson as the postman, Kyle Wicks as the boy, Ivor Danvers as the Town Hall official and Jean Harvey as Mrs Donaghue.
363"Hyacinth Is Alarmed"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke17 September 1995 (1995-09-17)

Richard is terrified to wake up to Hyacinth smiling at him and even more terrified when he realises he's forgotten their wedding anniversary. He saves the day when he decides to have an alarm system installed, claiming it is Hyacinth's "surprise" anniversary present and Hyacinth verbally harasses the representative and his employees as she wants an alarm in 'dusky pink'.

Guest-starring Ian Lavender as the security representative, Rebecca Root and Ben de Winter as the engineers, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, David Janson as the postman, Margaret Towner as the elderly lady and George Webb as Daddy.
374"A Riverside Picnic"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke24 September 1995 (1995-09-24)

Hyacinth organises a 'waterside supper with riparian entertainment', much to the despair of those she invites, which consists of Elizabeth, Emmet, the vicar and his wife. Despite Emmet's and the vicar's best efforts they find getting out of Hyacinth's function impossible. As usual her plans of perfection are shattered, this time because a dredger dumps dirt in her chosen location.

Note: First major appearance of Violet.

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife, Anna Dawson as Violet, David Janson as the postman, Steve Morley as the lock keeper and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
385"Skis"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke1 October 1995 (1995-10-01)

Hyacinth has bought Richard skis for his birthday because they "will look good on the car". Needing Violet and Bruce's roof-rack, the Buckets head off to Violet's luxury home, picking up two neighbours along the way and arriving to find Violet and Bruce arguing.

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife, Anna Dawson as Violet, John Evitts as Bruce and Lois Penson and Clare Kelly as the Misses Pilsworth.
396"Country Estate Sale"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke8 October 1995 (1995-10-08)

Richard tries to save his wallet from losing some weight when he and Hyacinth attend an estate auction in the country and Liz and Emmet dodge Hyacinth in the manor halls. Meanwhile, a Mrs Braddock has commandeered Onslow's car and is impersonating his dog, which has gone missing. In the end Hyacinth comes away with several bottles of "the Dowager Lady Ursula's homemade gooseberry wine" and gets drunk.

Guest-starring Bruce Montague as His Lordship, David Simeon as the auctioneer, David Ashford as his assistant, Jessica James as Mrs Braddock and Colin Stepney as His Lordship's servant.
407"The Boy Friend"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke15 October 1995 (1995-10-15)

Hyacinth sings to her heart's content when discovering Emmet's latest musical The Boy Friend is in production. Meanwhile, Daddy is once again thinking that he is back in the war and guarding Onslow's house with a bayonet, while Daisy hopes to have Onslow to herself for the day.

Guest-starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
418"A Barbecue At Violet's"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke22 October 1995 (1995-10-22)

When Bruce and Violet's constant arguing threatens Hyacinth's luxury barbecue, she resorts to desperate musical measures to keep her family scandals from public exposure. Things go even more wrong when Hyacinth's father throws a bucket of horse manure on the buffet after it catches fire.

Guest starring Jeremy Gittins as the vicar, Marion Barron as the vicar's wife, Jack Smethurst as the man in the phonebox, Anna Dawson as Violet, John Evitts as Bruce, Jenny Morton, Alexandra Howard and Anna Bolt as the dancers and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
429"The Rolls-Royce"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke29 October 1995 (1995-10-29)

Hyacinth urges Richard to "borrow" a Rolls-Royce from a dealership to impress one of her society rivals and a test drive of a luxury vehicle leads them to a country hotel in Wiltshire (near Swindon), where Hyacinth gets attention for the wrong reasons. Meanwhile, Daddy thinks he is hunting elephants in Africa with Onslow.

Note: Emmet does not appear in this episode.

Alternative title: "A Crafts-Woman Scorned"

Guest-starring Timothy Carlton as the car salesman, John Pennington (the vicar in Only Fools and Horses) as the sergeant and George Webb as Daddy (uncredited).
4310"The Hostess"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke5 November 1995 (1995-11-05)

An excited Hyacinth has put an advert in the local newspaper to teach people social etiquette, but the clientele proves far different from what she expected. It turns out they wanted a striptease dancer as a result of misreading her advert. Before leaving, she has to send Richard to get Daddy out.

Guest-starring Robert Rawles as the milkman, John Waterhouse as his assistant and Ian Burford as the neighbour.
Special
44S"The Pageant"Harold SnoadRoy Clarke25 December 1995 (1995-12-25)

Final episode. Hyacinth and Richard arrive at the church hall as Hyacinth organises a pageant based on the English Civil War, with herself as Queen Henrietta Maria and Richard as Charles I. However, all of the volunteers supposedly taking part are unable to make it. At a last-minute attempt to get the show off the ground, Hyacinth invites Onslow, Daisy, Rose, Bruce and Violet to participate. Later in rehearsals, however, Hyacinth falls foul of a stage accident, after accident prone Liz pulls the wrong rope. Meanwhile, Daddy is dancing the tango with a man.

Note: Final episode of the series.

Note: This episode was watched by 16.73 million viewers.

Guest starring Una Stubbs as Mrs Moody, Tony Stuart as Mr Crabtree, John Evitts as Bruce, Anna Dawson as Violet, Miranda Kingsley as the shop assistant, George Webb as Daddy, Jeremy Gittins as the vicar and Marion Barron as the vicar's wife.

Other media

Children in Need

A short special was produced for Children in Need and broadcast on 24 November 1995. [12]

Compilations

Two compilation specials were produced; the first, "The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket", was broadcast on 20 March 1997 [13] and sees Daisy discovers a manuscript of Hyacinth's memoirs amongst some things she loaned her, prompting Daisy and Onslow to look back at some of the funniest moments from the show. The second, "Life Lessons from Onslow", was released exclusively on DVD in the United States via BBC Video on 9 September 2008. It sees Onslow present lessons for life when hosting an Open University programme, by showing various moments from the Keeping Up Appearances show. All the favourites are here in an hour-long retrospective. [14]

Young Hyacinth

A prequel episode was broadcast on BBC One on 2 September 2016 [15] in which it is set in the early 1950s and a young Hyacinth Walton (Kerry Howard) is seen desperately trying to force her family to climb the ever-expanding social ladder. It was watched by 4.39 million viewers. [16]

Notes

The Warner Home Video 10 disc Collector's Edition DVD box set mislabels series 5 episodes 6-10 as series 6 episodes in the United States.

The Series Three and Four Boxset did not include the 1993 and 1994 Christmas specials. These were released with the 2006 boxset. A complete collection was released on 8 October 2007. [17]

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References

  1. ↑ "series 1". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Series 2". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "Series 2 - The Father Christmas Suit". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Keeping Up Appearances: Problems with Relatives Trivia and Quotes on TV.com". TV.com . Retrieved 2 January 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Series 3". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Series 4". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Series 4 - Christmas Special". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "1994 Christmas Special". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Keeping Up Appearances goofs at IMDb.com". IMDb . Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "Series 5". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Series 5 - Christmas Special". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "Children In Need Special". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "What's On". Christian Science Monitor. 13 March 1997. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Keeping Up Appearances: Life Lessons from Onslow DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Weekly top 30 programmes - BARB". www.barb.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Keeping Up Appearances - The Complete Collection". Amazon.co.uk. 8 October 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
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