Keeping Up Appearances star Clive Swift has died at the age of 82, his agent has confirmed.

In a statement, the star's family said he passed away at home following a short illness.

In a career spanning six decades, Swift was best known for playing Richard Bucket, the long-suffering husband of Hyacinth Bucket, in the classic comedy.

Image: Clive Swift has passed away after a short illness

The BBC series mocked British class obsessions and ran for five years in the 1990s, with Swift appearing in 42 episodes.

Dame Patricia Routledge, who played his class-obsessed wife, became known for her pronunciation of her surname (it's Bouquet).


After the show finished Swift continued to have an active career, last being credited with an on-screen appearance in 2017.

Image: Swift played Richard Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances

He began his career with a number of small roles in the late 1960s, moving into his first television roles in the 1970s.

Swift appeared in the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special.

He had a daughter Rebecca, who died in 2017. Swift is survived by two sons - Adam, a university academic, and Joe, a garden designer.