Keeping Up Appearances actor Anna Dawson has died at the age of 88, just six months after the loss of her husband.
The passing of the star, who played Violet in the ’90s British sitcom, was announced by her church in New Zealand.
The post read: “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).
“Many from the Russell community will remember Anna and her late husband John Boulter who lived in Okiato and Tapeka. Funeral details to follow.”
Born in Bolton in the late 30s, Dawson began her career on the stage and appeared on the West End in several musicals.
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She transitioned to the small screen in 1964 with a role in BBC police procedural Dixon of Dock Green. Other TV credits included The Benny Hill Show, Z-Cars and Keep it in the Family.
But it was for playing Hyacinth’s wealthy younger sister Violet in Keeping Up Appearances that Dawson remained best known. The part was initially a voice-only role, but the series later introduced the character on screen.
Dawson stepped back from acting in 1995, when the series finished, and moved to New Zealand with her husband Boulter. He died in December last year.
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Tributes have been flooding in for Dawson on social media following the tragic news of her passing.
Among those sharing their condolences for the late star was Only Fools And Horses star John Challis’s widow Carol, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Sad news. An old friend. God bless you, Anna.”
Dawson’s passing follows that of Dame Katherine Patricia Routledge on 3 October, 2025. Routledge was the celebrated lead in Keeping Up Appearances, appearing alongside the likes of Dawson, Clive Swift, Judy Cornwell and Geoffrey Hughes.
Routledge earned two BAFTA nominations for best light entertainment performance in 1992 and 1993 for her role in the celebrated sitcom.
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Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
