Prunella Scales, beloved Fawlty Towers star, remembered for her wit, charm and decades of contribution to British comedy (Photo: Pinterest)
Prunella Scales is a British actress and television comedy icon has died on 27 October, 2025 at the aged 93. She renowned globally for her portrayal of the acid-tongued Sybil in Fawlty Towers, Scales's legacy reshaped television comedy. Her relatives confirmed that she passed away at her London residence, surrounded by love and care after a prolonged fight with dementia.
Born Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth on June 22, 1932, in Surrey, England, Scales had a creative childhood. Her mother, Catherine Bim Scales was an actress and her father fought in both World Wars. She went to Moira House School and subsequently won a scholarship to the Old Vic Theatre School, where her love for acting started to develop.
Scales started off in 1951 at the Bristol Old Vic as an assistant stage manager, but soon her talent found a way to get her on television with her early productions included Pride and Prejudice (1952), Hobson's Choice (1954) and Marriage Lines (1960s), which earned her national fame it was her character of Sybil Fawlty on the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975–1979) that made her a familiar name everywhere.
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With her wit, authority and impeccable timing, she was one of the most revered figures in British comedy. Her later productions included After Henry, Mapp & Lucia and the BAFTA nominated A Question of Attribution (1991) in which she played Queen Elizabeth II.
Scales married to actor Timothy West in 1963 and their marriage over six decades long was a rare instance of commitment in the show business world. They had two sons, Samuel and Joseph enjoyed a love for canal boating, chronicled in the series Great Canal Journeys. The couple's relationship was not just romantic but also creative, and they tended to be seen together on stage and screen west died in November 2024.
Her range spread from the stage to television to cinema. Notable screen roles were The Boys from Brazil (1978), The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987), Howards End (1992) and Wolf (1994). She also brought her charm to the BBC Shakespeare series to The Merry Wives of Windsor.
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Scales net worth was approximately $2 million mostly supported by Fawlty Towers royalty and joint possessions with her deceased husband. West's net worth £110,000, embodied their joint philanthropy, with considerable amounts going to charities that assisted actors and the blind.
Diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, Scales retired from the stage the next year. In spite of her condition, she remained happily at home, looked after by professionals and family. Her sons reported that she spent the day before she died watching Fawlty Towers a suitable salute to the role that most defined her professional and personal life.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on verified reports and family statements. No speculative or unconfirmed information has been included.
