Prunella Scales' latest health update as Fawlty Towers star loses husband Timothy West

Samuel West of All Creatures Great and Small fame recently shared an update about his mum Prunella Scales, famous for her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers and several other remarkable performances. This news came before the sad announcement that his father, the esteemed actor Timothy West, passed away at age 90 on Tuesday (November 12).

At 92 years old, Prunella has been courageously battling vascular dementia since 2014. The cherished British actress has continued to stay active despite the disease’s challenges.

Discussing his mother’s situation, Samuel spoke of her inspiring outlook which she embraced following a recent cruise vacation. To the audience he explained: "My mother went on a cruise the other day, I'm not sure if she knew where she was but she enjoyed getting there. 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."

Continuing to engage with her trade at 92, Prunella addressed her experience with ageing and memory in an interview with The Times, expressing a sentiment widely relatable among senior individuals. As quoted by MyLondon, she reflected: "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," adding candidly: "I mean, I do forget things and that's age, the same as everybody else."

Despite her health challenges, she remains determined to continue her work in television and theatre, as reported by the Express. Her late husband Timothy, known for his roles in Coronation Street, Eastenders, and the sitcom Not Going Out, also maintained an active career until his death, reports the Express.

Recently, Prunella has been busy recording new voiceovers for a production at the Tabard Studio Theatre in West London. Scales first took on the role of Queen Victoria over four decades ago, starring in 'An Evening with Queen Victoria' which premiered in London and toured globally until 2007.

Prunella Scales and Timothy West enjoyed a marriage spanning 61 years and have two sons, Samuel, 58, and Joseph, as well as a step-daughter, Juliet, from Timothy's previous marriage. In a 2023 interview, Prunella expressed gratitude towards her husband for 'sticking by (me) for so long'. Timothy passed away 'peacefully in his sleep' while 'surrounded by family' on Tuesday, November 12.

In a statement, his children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph said: “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 greatgrandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.”

West and Scales, 92, who played Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, appeared in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys between 2014 and 2021, which saw them travelling on narrowboats together.

The couple married in 1963, and have two sons, actor Samuel West, and Joseph West. West was also married to actor Jacqueline Boyer from 1956 to 1961, and they had a daughter, Juliet West.

Paying tribute to West on Times Radio, broadcaster Dame Joanna Lumley, who campaigned alongside him to destigmatise dementia, as his wife Scales has had vascular dementia for over 20 years, said he would be a “huge loss to everybody”.