Patricia Routledge

She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2017 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to Theatre and Charity in Chichester, West Sussex, England.

She appeared in a play called "Best of Friends", at the Hampsted Theatre, London (2006), about George Bernard Shaw, a Museum Curator and a Mother Abbess (Routledge).

She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to Drama.

She was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from her alma mater, the University of Liverpool in Liverpool, Merseyside, England (1999).

Voted Britain's all-time favourite television actress. [1996]

Named as the Personality of the Year by the Variety Club of Great Britain. [1993]

Named as the Top Television Comedy Actress for 1991.

She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1989 (1988 season) for Best Actress in a Musical for "Candide".

She was awarded Broadway's 1968 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "Darling of the Day" in a tie with Leslie Uggams for "Hallelujah, Baby!".

Daughter of Catherine and Isaac Routledge. Her father was a haberdasher, and, during WWII, the family lived weeks at a time in the basement of her father's shop. She attended Birkenhead High School, where she sang in the choir and ran the Sunday School. She studied English at Liverpool University, and, after graduation, worked without pay at the Liverpool Playhouse. She was asked to join the company, and she later studied at Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol. She then moved to London, where she built an impressive stage career over the next several years, also appearing on Broadway 1966-1968.

Sister of Reverend Canon Graham Routledge (born Kenneth Graham Routledge, 1927-1989) and Edgar Routledge (born Edgar H. Routledge, born and died 1926).

Daughter of Isaac Edgar (1898-1986) and Catherine (née Perry) Routledge (1900-1957). They married in 1925.