The two lead characters of Keeping Up Appearances are Hyacinth and Richard Bucket, who appear in all forty-four episodes, along with sisters Daisy and Rose and Hyacinth's brother-in-law Onslow. The Bucket's neighbour Liz appears in all episodes except "Hyacinth Tees Off", while her brother Emmet appears in all episodes from Series Two apart from "Hyacinth Tees Off" and "The Rolls Royce". The Major features in the first two series, and Hyacinth's postman Michael, appears sporadically throughout the series from series Two onwards. Other characters such as the Vicar and his wife appear sporadically throughout the whole series, while Hyacinth's sister Violet and her husband Bruce appear only as main characters in Series Five. Hyacinth's "Daddy" is only rarely seen.
Hyacinth is determined to create the perfect impression when inviting the new Vicar for tea and light refreshments. However, her hopes come crashing down on her when Onslow and Daisy turn up with the news Daddy has run away with a gypsy. Meanwhile, Rose threatens to commit suicide.
Hyacinth and Richard visit a stately home, where Hyacinth hopes to meet a member of the family, however Hyacinth is horrified when Onslow, Daisy and a Rose turn up unexpectedly. Guest starring Michael Bilton.
It is Liz and Hyacinth's day to help Councillor Mrs Nugent at the charity shop, and on the way there Hyacinth has to make a visit to Onslow and Daisy's to remove a woman (played by Gretchen Franklin) from Daddy's room. Guest starring Denis Bond and Norman Lovett.
In an attempt to make Onslow jealous, Daisy finds herself a toyboy (played by Jonny Lee Miller); unfortunately for Hyacinth, they turn up at the Church Hall where Hyacinth is preparing food.
Daisy and Onslow’s granddaughter Kylie is getting christened, but Hyacinth is unimpressed to learn that the father is unknown. The day quickly turns disastrous when Hyacinth and Richard are forced to come to the rescue of the baby's mother Stepahnie, whose mode of transport has broken down. Guest starring Gerald Sim.
Hyacinth wants to impress Emmet with her musical skills at an elaborate musical supper. However, Hyacinth's plans backfire when love-troubled Rose turns up, followed by two of her arguing gentleman friends.
The Major invites the Buckets for a golfing weekend at a five-star hotel, when Onslow and Daisy turn up at the hotel unexpectedly, to collect Rose. Hyacinth, as ever, tries to avoid her family while also avoiding the amorous intentions of the Major.
Hyacinth is dreading being invited to Onslow's birthday party, but changes her mind when finding out she and Richard will be picked up by Rose's wealthy Greek boyfriend. However, things do not go to plan when the Greek's car is replaced by a hearse.
Richard is offered early retirement, and Emmett is angered when Hyacinth ends up rehearsing a performance for the old people with him, at the Church Hall. Meanwhile a tranquilised Rose arrives, damaging Hyacinth's plans.
Daddy has ended up at the toy store and is causing havoc, resulting in Hyacinth and Richard having to solve the problem without damaging Hyacinth's social status.
Hyacinth has ordered an expensive new three-piece suite and is determined for the delivery to go smoothly. However, a van catastrophe results in Hyacinth's plans crumbling.
Hyacinth has bought Richard a Father Christmas outfit for him to wear when distributing gifts to the old people at the Church Hall. Against his will, Richard puts on the outfit, but after having one too many sherries with Emmett, he is unable to fulfil the deed; hence Elizabeth puts on the outfit and pretends to be Richard.
A depressed Richard turns up to work and is finally facing early retirement. Meanwhile, Hyacinth prepares for a guest, though plans begin to go haywire for the house-proud lady when a dog parks itself on her drive.
Hyacinth decides Richard will enjoy searching for Iron Age remains and the pair head of to the country in exploration. However, the day takes an unexpected turn when a depressed Rose locks herself in her room.
Hyacinth borrows Violet and Bruce’s luxury cottage for the weekend and prepares for a barbecue. However in an attempt to impress lady from the manor house Bunty; Hyacinth gets slightly carried away with the summer spirit. Meanwhile, Richard is in search for Bunty’s dog Zoe.
Hyacinth’s jealousy gets the better of her when hearing about a neighbours luxury holiday; resulting in her attempting to impress the neighbours by pretending to go on holiday herself. Meanwhile, Onslow arrives at the Bucket’s to take Richard away from the demands of life with Hyacinth.
Hyacinth and Richard head off on a yachting weekend. However, Hyacinth is disappointed with the yacht she has been appointed and decides that she and Richard will make it look less inferior to its neighbouring boat via moving it.
Hyacinth’s attempts to keep Richard occupied in his retirement years continue. Now she has found him an executive job in frozen foods and to impress the manager of the company Hyacinth has created a plot involving Onslow and golf.
Hyacinth wants “a little place in the country”; however her heart is not set on little, and an old farmer with a speech disability causes problems for Hyacinth when out looking.
For Hyacinth’s summer entertaining she has decided to hold an "outdoors indoors luxury barbecue with finger buffet". In an attempt to compete with the Barker-Finches's, she is determined to get a gardeningcelebrity to attend.
Hyacinth switches on her sailing persona when volunteering to collect the guest speaking Commodore from a train station. However, Richard gets clamped and they cannot find the Commodore. They head back to the hall where je is speaking and they find out he has already arrived and has just finished.
Hyacinth and Richard spend time in their very small apartment in the countryside. While back at Hyacinth’s neighbourhood; the neighbours, the postman and especially Emmett all enjoy a weekend without Hyacinth. However Emmett’s happiness is not to last when being invited to Hyacinth’s new home.
It is the "bring and buy" sale at the Church hall and Hyacinth has volunteered Richard to fix the Church hall electrics, despite his lack of electrical capabilities. Meanwhile, Onslow, Daisy and Rose turn up with Daddy believing he is back in the war.
Hyacinth and Richard prepare for their luxury stay on the QE2; however traffic, a field and too much luggage result in a disastrous start to a holiday that only gets much worse when Hyacinth has reason to believe Onslow and Daisy have stowed-away. Guest starring Lord Lichfield as himself.
Hyacinth is in search for her dream kitchen; while Richard has developed a fungus infection not to her approval. As a result, Hyacinth claims it is gout; a disease supposedly caught by "good living". Meanwhile, Daddy has gone missing again. Guest starring Trevor Bannister.
Hyacinth wakes up one morning in an unusually good mood. Richard is at a loss to understand why, until Hyacinth cheerfully asks him what he was bought her for a wedding anniversary present. Richard had forgotten that it was their anniversary, and is forced to do some quick thinking. He decides to install a new alarm system, pretending it was a surprise anniversary present which he'd had planned for a long time. Everything backfires when Hyacinth chooses the date of their wedding as the code for the alarm.
For Richard’s birthday Hyacinth buys some skis as she believes they will look good on top of the car. However, needing Violet and Bruce’s roof rack they head off to their luxury home; picking two neighbours up along the way. However, Hyacinth is thrown into a panic when arriving as Violet and Bruce are arguing.
Richard is not looking forward to going to a country house sale as he believes Hyacinth will spend beyond his limit. Meanwhile, a Mrs. Braddock has commandeered Onslow’s car.
Hyacinth gives even broader singing hints to Emmet, when learning his latest musical The Boyfriend is in production. Meanwhile, Daddy is once again back in the war and guarding Onslow’s house.
Hyacinth arranges a barbecue at Violet's; however on their arrival there is a blazing row between the pair. Hence Hyacinth has to introduce an eccentric singing game to disguise the row, preventing her guests from over-hearing. The barbecue catches fire and everything goes wrong.
Hyacinth is in favour of a new car, much to Richard’s horror. Therefore the pair end up taking a Rolls Royce for a drive. However, Hyacinth’s plans of gloating in the car take a downwards spiral when it gets reported as stolen and the two get arrested.
Hyacinth has put an advert in the local newspaper to teach people social etiquette, however an excited Hyacinth does not quite get what she bargained for.
Hyacinth and Richard arrive at the Church hall; as Hyacinth organises a Pageant based on the English Civil War, with her as Queen Henrietta Maria and Richard as Charles I. However all of the volunteers supposedly taking part are unable to make it. At a last minute attempt to get the show off the ground, Hyacinth invites Onslow, Daisy and Rose along with Bruce and Violet to participate. Later in rehearsal Liz pulls the wrong rope and knocks Hyacinth out with the background screen. Hyacinth is then put in the ambulance.
