British acting legend Prunella Scales has died at the age of 93. Her family announced that she passed away peacefully at home in London on 27 October 2025.
Early Life and Beginnings
Born on 22 June 1932 in Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England — originally as Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth — she spent her early years amid the era of World War II, before training at the Old Vic Theatre School.
Her stage name was taken from her mother’s maiden name, “Scales”. Wikipedia She broke into acting in the early 1950s, initially with stage and screen appearances that gave her a base for what became a long and acclaimed career.
Career Highlights
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Her breakthrough came with the 1960s sitcom Marriage Lines (1961-66) where she starred opposite Richard Briers.
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She is best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in the iconic BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975 & 1979). Her portrayal of the sharp-witted hotelier’s wife made her a household name.
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Beyond comedy, she showed range: she played Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991), earning a BAFTA nomination.
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On screen and in theatre she had credits spanning decades, including films such as Howards End (1992) and the travel-documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014-19), the latter with her husband.
She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1992 in recognition of her sustained contribution to drama.
Personal Life & Later Years
Prunella married fellow actor Timothy West in 1963. Their partnership spanned over six decades until his death in November 2024. HELLO!+1 Together they had two sons, including actor-director Samuel West, and shared a passion for canal-boating, which led to their starring roles in Great Canal Journeys.
In later years she faced significant health challenges: she was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013. Wikipedia+1 Despite her diagnosis the couple continued to live at home, and remained devoted to one another through her declining health.
In the days before her passing she watched Fawlty Towers. Her sons noted:
“She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died.” Reuters+1
Legacy & Tributes
Prunella Scales leaves behind a rich legacy of comedy and drama, with her performance as Sybil frequently cited among the most memorable female comic roles in British television.
Tributes poured in:
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Co-star John Cleese called her “a really wonderful comic actress” and “a very sweet lady.” The Guardian
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The Alzheimer’s Society praised her openness about her dementia diagnosis, calling her “an inspiration”.
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Many media outlets called her “a national treasure” and celebrated a career spanning almost 70 years.
Final Thoughts
Prunella Scales’ career is a testament to enduring talent, versatility and wit. She moved seamlessly between comedy and serious roles, and remained beloved not just for the characters she played, but for the warmth and professionalism she brought to her work. Her departure marks the end of an era for British television.
“Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home.” — family statement The Guardian
She will be remembered by fans around the world—and by generations who grew up quoting “Oh, hello, how are we today?” from Fawlty Towers.
