Synopsis

Hyacinth Bucket (whose name, she insists, is pronounced "Bouquet") is a suburban housewife in the West Midlands. She would be the first to tell you that she is a gracious hostess, a respected citizen, and a well-connected member of high society. If you don't believe that, just ask her best friend Elizabeth, held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen; or the postmen and neighbours who bristle at the sound… of her voice; or Richard, her weary and compliant husband. In fact, Hyacinth's reputation could be as perfect as her new lounge set, if not for her senile father's love of running wild in the nip. Oh, and she would prefer it if her brother-in-law was a sharper dresser. And that her husband was more ambitious. And that her sisters were more presentable. And do take your shoes off before you come in the house, dear. Mind that you don't brush against the wallpaper.

Hyacinth boasts about the "psychic" closeness of their relationship and how often he writes and telephones her, although he never writes and only telephones his mother to ask for money, much to the despair of Richard.

Various spin-off shows and specials related to the programme were broadcast.

Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge) â€“ who insists her surname is pronounced Bouquet (although her husband Richard has said, "It was always 'Bucket' until I met you!") â€“ is an overbearing, social-climbing snob, originally from a lower-class background, whose main mission in life is to impress others with her refinement and pretended affluence.

He initially worked for the council in "Finance and General Purposes", but at the beginning of series three, reluctantly accepts early retirement.

Although Hyacinth is embarrassed by Onslow's laziness and unkempt character, Richard and Onslow get along very well, while Daisy's cheerful nature wins over anyone she meets from Hyacinth's preferred social circle.

Hyacinth also tries to impress people with the intellectual prowess of her beloved son Sheridan (who actually only takes a course in needlework at a polytechnic).