Rose (Keeping Up Appearances)

Infobox character
colour = #99FFCC
name = Rose


caption = Rose in "Keeping Up Appearanes."
first = Series one, episode one: "Daddy's Accident"
last = Christmas Special 1995: "The Pageant"
cause = Show ended.
gender = Female
age = not known
occupation = Selling custom-made jewellery in series four.
title = Miss
family =
relatives = sisters Hyacinth Bucket, Daisy, Violet and Father
episode =
portrayer = Shirley Stelfox, Mary Millar
creator = Roy Clarke


caption2 = Rose, as played by Shirley Stelfox in Series 1 1990.

Rose is a fictional character in the British sitcom "Keeping Up Appearances". She is portrayed by two actresses: Shirley Stelfox in series one, and the late Mary Millar from series two onwards. Rose is the more attractive, albeit ageing, sister, to social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket, and as Emmet describes her: 'The one with the friendly legs.' She lives in a rundown council house with sister Daisy, Daisy's slobbish husband Onslow and her senile father, always referred to as 'Daddy' by Hyacinth.

She's a promiscuous character, always wearing revealing outfits and short skirts, and forever getting involved with usually married men. Such attributes give the impression she's tarty, cheap and common, and another down-market relative designed to embarrass Hyacinth Bucket. As with all her poorer relatives, Hyacinth is ashamed of Rose and fears she'll jeopardise her chances of progressing up the social ladder, thus Hyacinth does her best to keep Rose hidden. Nevertheless, whenever her youngest sister (Rose) becomes either distraught or suicidal, due to another unfortunate encounter with a boyfriend, Hyacinth never fails to rush to her aid, and clearly care about her. Additionally, in the series one episode the "Charity Shop" Hyacinth kisses Rose on the cheek.

Nevertheless, the short-skirted man eater is always too keen to involve herself in Hyacinth's life, often to chase her male associates such as the (married) Vicar or Hyacinth's neighbour, Emmet, both of whom, like most men, are somewhat attracted to her. The Vicar's jealous wife calls her the 'vampire sister.'

However, as Richard describes in the series three episode "Iron Age Remains", Rose is "a gentle soul" who’s just a bit "mixed up".

Like Hyacinth, appearance is everything to her, despite her social aims being very different. Her provocative lifestyle provides some of the show's humour, and prompts sarcastic remarks from Onslow.