The writer Susan Leckey described Jacques as "one of the best-loved British comedy stars", while Jacques's obituarist in "The Times" observed that "she was invariably successful" at making people "laugh with, rather than at you". Peter Chapman of "The Independent" stated that Jacques was "blessed with remarkable grace, delicacy and warmth, giving her an almost unique comic appeal". "Sunday Life" said that for decades she was "Britain's favourite silly, sexually frustrated, fat woman". Nina Wadia of "Goodness Gracious Me" considers Jacques along with Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor to have "paved the way for younger comediennes in Britain today", remarking that "if it had not been for women like Hattie and Barbara, there is no way that younger actresses would have any role model, or probably the ambition to do what they do".