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PRUNELLA Scales was cherished by millions for her role in the iconic comedy series Fawlty Towers.
Unfortunately, on October 28, 2025, it was announced that she had passed away following a decade-long struggle with dementia.
Prunella Scales was a beloved English actressCredit: Rex
The actress is pictured here with her beloved husband Timothy WestCredit: Rex
Prunella Scales passed away “peacefully at home in London yesterday [October 27, 2025],” as stated by her sons Samuel and Joseph.
A heartfelt statement from her grieving sons read: “Our beloved mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93.
“Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career spanning nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home.
“She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she passed away.
“Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024.
“She is survived by two sons, one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
“We would like to express our gratitude to all those who provided Pru with such wonderful care in her final days; they ensured her last moments were comfortable, content, and filled with love.”
Who was Prunella Scales?
Born on June 22, 1932, Prunella Scales was an accomplished actress known for both stage and screen performances.
Her most notable role was as Sybil Fawlty in the sitcom.
Prunella continued to work in theatre and television well into her 90s.
In 2024, she completed recording new voiceovers for a production at the Tabard Studio Theatre in West London.
Fawlty Towers Fame
Prunella achieved international fame in the 1970s when she portrayed the long-suffering Sybil in.
The show also featured as the irritable hotel owner Basil Fawlty.
Despite its popularity, Fawlty Towers only aired for 12 episodes from 1975 to 1979.
[Prunella] was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she passed away
Family statement
However, this was sufficient to establish Prunella as a national icon, thanks to her role as Basil’s wife.
Married Life
They married in 1963.
The couple first met in 1961 while working on what they both described as a “terrible play” for the BBC titled She Died Young.
Speaking to in 2023 about the early days of their relationship, Timothy shared that when he and Prunella were not filming scenes for the show, they would spend their time.
The star noted: “Pru and I had certain amounts of time off.
Prunella was best known for her role in Fawlty TowersCredit: Alamy
“We spent a lot of time doing crosswords and writing letters to each other. This has been a part of our lives for many years.”
The couple enjoyed 61 years of marriage and later found success together in their series Great Canal Journeys.
Timothy was well-known for his roles in as Eric Babbage and in as Stan Carter.
He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, having played Macbeth twice and King Lear four times.
During their life together, they welcomed two sons, Samuel and Joseph West.
The couple also found success on Channel 4’s Great Canal JourneysCredit: Alamy 
