Keeping Up Appearances actor Clive Swift has died, aged 82

1 February 2019, 16:19 | Updated: 1 February 2019, 16:35

Clive Swift - best known for playing Richard Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances has passed away.

The actor played the long-suffering Richard Bucket in the BBC sitcom from 1990 to 1995.

He died on Friday morning (February 1) after a short illness, his rep confirmed. He was at home surrounded by his family.

The classically trained actor also appeared in the adaptation of The Barchester Chronicles. In 2007 starred in a Doctor Who Christmas special, and appeared as Sir Ector in John Boorman's 1981 film Excalibur.

Richard Raises His Voice At Hyacinth | Keeping Up Appearances

He was married to novelist Margaret Drabble between 1960 and 1975, and was a father to daughter Rebecca, who died in April 2017.

His most famous role will always be opposite Patricia Routledge in the classic 1990s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

He once said: "I could walk the street unrecognised, but all that changed with Keeping Up Appearances... That show is the only proper money I’ve earned, because it was a global success and it’s given me a good pension that I might never have had."