Nick Duke

Head of history, also do a bit of acting and marathon running.

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@dreurovision And born to try!

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@denizthetenis Has she just done a shift at Sainsbury’s?!

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@TheTennisTalker It shouldn’t even be a question that she gets a wildcard, glad they have received a backlash.

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@slinehan1 @RyanSoapKing25 Alison has done it as well

[Hello, This is Ivan @hellothisisivan]

Deeply disappointing they haven’t gone with Bayeux Tickets Here

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@Lord_Sugar

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@Cherylbaker Got my tickets for Sevenoaks 👍🏼

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@ShadySatsFacts @mightyhoopla get them booked!

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@HughJRichards No problem, thought I would double check before creating one. Congrats on the new role

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@HughJRichards hey just wondering if you’ve done a remembrance assembly this year?

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@bbcsoutheast erm Kartel is facing Parry not Shnaider!

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@randomstuffxzxz @DerrenLitten 🙏🏼 🍹

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@WelshNeighbours The Bishop family in that plane crash

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@TheCinesthetic

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

A very nice surprise to meet the amazing Dame Kelly Holmes at @Ashfordparkrun this morning! What a lovely lady! #kellyholmes #parkrun

[Dan @EastStandDan]

"who told you about the shield Freddie?"

"Joseph Stalin"

"Freddie, he died in 1953"

#TheTraitorsUK #Traitors

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@HughJRichards @histassoc Thoroughly deserved 👏🏼

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@theperfectblend I only realised it was the same actress the other day, what a missed opportunity… could have created a cameo return for @DeltaGoodrem

[Nick Duke @nickduke]

@HughJRichards Great thank you!