Hyacinth Bucket returns to her youth in Keeping up Appearances prequel

 Hyacinth Bucket returns to her youth in Keeping up Appearances prequel

The one-off special features as part of a season of tributes to the BBC’s landmark sitcoms – but star Kerry Howard hopes for a full-fledged comeback

It seemed Hyacinth had kicked the Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) in 1995 when Patricia Routledge got tired of playing her in BBC’s Keeping Up Appearances.

But Young Hyacinth, a one-off prequel to the classic sitcom, screens this month as part of the landmark sitcom season.

Set in the 1950s, Kerry Howard plays Hyacinth and she and writer Roy Clarke are keen to turn it into a series for 2017.

While on stage at a press screening of the episode Kerry, 34, begged BBC comedy controller Shane Allen to give her a series.

She also made it clear she loves the role and was a fan of the original. Kerry said: “I grew up with that voice and watched the show as a girl, so it is weird.

“Never did I think I would have the chance to play a character I played as a young girl in the mirror.

And writer Roy said he never saw it as a one-off – and is already thinking about ideas for more episodes.

The signs are good and while the episode did not have Square Eyes rolling in the aisle, fans of the original may enjoy the gentle comedy.

Shane did not commit to a series on the spot. But it is clear some of the many one-offs this season will return – and our money is on Goodnight Sweetheart.