Kerry Howard to play Young Hyacinth in a special prequel to Keeping Up Appearances for BBC One

Set in the late 1950s in a crowded canal cottage, Hyacinth’s desperate attempts to transform her sisters and her Dad (Mark Addy - Game Of Thrones, The Full Monty) into an altogether better class of family are not always appreciated. The sisters have their own dreams and ambitions, Violet (Tamla Kari, The Musketeers) dreams of wealth, Daisy (Katherine Pearce, Our Girl) dreams of the great outdoors and Rose (Katie Redford, Mount Pleasant) dreams of film stars and boys; whilst Hyacinth dreams of the day she’ll have matching china. Oh and how she wishes that her darling Daddy, currently scraping by as a part-time brush salesman with a tricycle and a drink problem, could be more like ex-Squadron Leader Cooper-Smith, for whom she works as a maid.

Young Hyacinth will also feature Tony Gardner (Last Tango In Halifax, Fresh Meat), Debra Stephenson (The Impressions Show), Tim Downie (Toast Of London) and James Wrighton (I Live With Models).

Kerry Howard, says: "It is such a privilege to get this opportunity to play the part that turned Patricia Routledge into a comedy legend. I grew up watching her and never dreamed that the original writer Roy Clarke would revisit Hyacinth in her early years and explain why she is the way she is. The script is incredible and he is such a sharp writer. This is a gift of a part and I'm very humbled that the BBC have entrusted it to me. I can't wait to play her!”

Roy Clarke says: "Often, even during the elder Hyacinth's reign, I would wonder what this formidable mature lady would have been like as a young woman. Would the Hyacinth powers already be there? Well, to my delight, I've been given the chance to find out. I've been allowed to wander into her background and investigate, almost a piece of archaeology really, until there she was - Young Hyacinth in early blossom. I hope those who knew her in her prime will find as much pleasure in this re-creation of her as I have."

Young Hyacinth is a BBC In-house production and will be produced by Sarah Hitchcock and directed by Sandy Johnson (Jonathan Creek, Benidorm, Cradle To Grave). It will be executive produced by Gareth Edwards (That Mitchell And Webb Look, Still Open All Hours).

Young Hyacinth is part of a landmark sitcom season on the BBC. The season of programming across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four will celebrate the heritage and legacy of BBC comedy by revisiting some of Britain’s iconic sitcoms alongside launching brand new comedy shows.

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