TVTV NewsKeeping Up Appearances and Benny Hill star Anna Dawson dies aged 8810:33, 01 Jul 2026Updated 10:47, 01 Jul 2026Keeping Up Appearances actress Anna Dawson has died at the age of 88. The star, most known for her role as Violet Bucket - sister of Dame Patricia Routledge’s Hyacinth - in the legendary sitcom died "peacefully" on Saturday, a statement confirmed.‌Members of her church in New Zealand, Christ Church Anglican at Kororāreka Russell, shared the news in a heartfelt post on Facebook.‌"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a much treasured member of our faith community, former actress Anna Boulter (nee Dawson)," they wrote.‌"Many from the Russell community will remember Anna and her late husband John Boulter who lived in Okiato and Tapeka. Funeral details to follow."The news comes just six months after Dawson’s husband John Boulter died.‌Anna began her decades-long screen career in 1964 with a role in Dixon of Dock Green, before landing performances in Slapstick and Old Lace and Mother Goose.She shot to stardom in the 70s thanks to her appearances in the Benny Hill Show and the Morecambe and Wise Show, before popping up in game shows including Blankety Blank and Give Us a Clue.It was in the mid 90s when she stole the show on Keeping Up Appearances as Violet - the sibling that Hyacinth Bucket would always rave about as “the one with the Mercedes, sauna and room for a pony.”‌Despite only being credited for four episodes in total, she shone alongside Routledge, Clive Swift, Geoffery Hughes and Josephine Tewson.Violet was Dawson’s final acting credit and she later retired from the spotlight and moved to New Zealand with her husband.‌News of her death comes months after her legendary co-star died last October, at the age of 96."We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love,” her agent announced at the time."Even at 96 years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as new generations of audiences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles.Article continues below“She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world."Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌