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Fawlty Towers actress Prunella Scales has died aged 93. The actress, who was best known for her role as Sybil on Fawlty Towers, has sadly died her family has confirmed. A statement shared to PA news agency said: "Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93. Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home. She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died. Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024. She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love." All about Prunella Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth was born on June 22, 1932. She attended Moira House Girls' School in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Her career spans across seven decades, beginning with a part in the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (1952) and Hobson's Choice (1954). However, her big break came in the '60s when she starred opposite Richard Briers in the sitcom Marriage Lines. She also lent her voice to radio and starred in a number of broadcast sitcoms on BBC Radio 4, including After Henry, Smelling Of Roses and Ladies Of Letters. Prunella also famously Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s A Question of Attribution (1991).However, she will be best remembered for portraying Sybil opposite John Cleese in the beloved sitcom, Fawlty Towers. Playing the more competent half of the married duo, Basil and Sybil, Prunella brought the character to life with unforgettable comedic timing and her trademark laugh. Prunella's dementia battle In 2014, Prunella was diagnosed with vascular dementia. In an interview with The Times in 2024, the actress said: "Well, as one gets older, one's memory and living from minute to minute changes, doesn't it? You get less efficient. My memory is less good. I mean, I forget to do things and, that's age, the same as everybody else. Oh, don't go on asking me about things like that." Meanwhile, her son, Samuel, appeared on Lorraine last year and was asked how his mother was doing. "They're fine, they're fine. My mother went on a cruise the other day, I'm not sure if she knew where she was but she enjoyed getting there." The 59-year-old added that his mother's attitude to life amid her ongoing health is about enjoying life as a journey. Samuel explained: "She said: 'I don't always know where I'm going but I enjoy getting there' and I thought if that is her philosophy, that might have to be mine as well." Prunella’s husband Prunella’s death comes 11 months after her husband of more than 60 years, Timothy West, died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family. The couple tied the knot in 1963 and shortly after welcomed two children, Joseph West and All Creatures Great and Small star, Samuel West. The couple's two children, Samuel and Joseph West, as well as Timothy's daughter from a previous relationship, Juliet, released a statement at the time. "After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old. "Tim was with friends and family at the end. He leaves his wife Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly. We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George's Hospital, Tooting and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days." More to come...
