Kerry Howard cast as young Hyacinth Bucket in BBC1's Keeping Up Appearances prequel
"It's the role of a lifetime," says the Him & Her, Give Out Girls and Witless star
Kerry Howard has been cast as a young Hyacinth Bucket in BBC1's Keeping Up Appearances prequel, RadioTimes.com can confirm.
The actress, whose TV CV includes Him & Her and A Gert Lush Christmas, is set to play a younger version of Patricia Routledge's iconic comedy character in a one-off special, written by the show's creator Roy Clarke.
The prequel is part of BBC1's landmark sitcom season, which will see the broadcaster revisit some of Britain’s most-loved comedies to mark 60 years since Galton and Simpson’s Hancock’s Half Hour started.
"It's a role of a lifetime," the 34-year-old told RadioTimes.com. "It's so different. It's really exciting."
Calling herself a "huge" fan of 87-year-old Routledge, Howard continued: "She taught me about how you use your face, about intonation, about how your body embodies a gag.
"She's totally uncensored. She's going for the gag in every sense. She's brilliant and I don't think there's a performer out there doing that now.
"The opportunity to have a go at it myself is really exciting. It's a dream role. And Roy Clarke's written it. It's so good, so good."
Howard, who is the sister of comedian Russell Howard, will start shooting the one-off this week.
Kerry Howard also stars in upcoming BBC3 sitcom Witless
