I can't think at this moment as to what the plant might be (perhaps Hypericum). Now, I would wait a little longer 'till the spring frosts are over. The old foliage will give the new growth some protection and then I would cut back just above the new growth and that should do the job.

I agree Jimmytheone.
There's a stem and a few leaves that look like Hypericum towards bottom left. Mine are looking pretty dowdy at the moment too but I know from experience that it's hard to kill the little so and so's.

well you say it has little green shoots so its isn't dead. it does look like an Hypericum in the photo. advice given re pruning is what I plan to do with mine.

If it has little green shoots it isn't dead.

Thank You everyone for your replies.
I am so pleased that it might not be dead as it is a pretty little plant.

Was planning on digging it up bit will wait and see what happens now.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

Am happy to tell you that this plant is now thriving,so plased I did not dig it up.

The above plant is now a bush and has yellow flowers which now are dying and looks like berries are forming...when can I prune it?
Thanks