Legendary actress Prunella Scales dies at 93, her family has confirmed. Best known for portraying Sybil Fawlty, the sharp-tongued hotel manager in the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, Scales passed away peacefully at her London home on Monday, surrounded by loved ones.
Her sons, Samuel and Joseph, shared that she had spent the day before her death watching Fawlty Towers, the show that made her a household name. “Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home,” they said.
Scales had been living with vascular dementia since 2013. Her husband, the distinguished actor Timothy West, died in November last year. She is survived by two sons, a stepdaughter, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Remembering an Icon of British Comedy
Fans around the world remember Prunella Scales for her wit, warmth, and impeccable timing. Her co-star John Cleese described her as “a really wonderful comic actress,” recalling that “scene after scene, she was absolutely perfect.”
Scales’ portrayal of the no-nonsense Sybil Fawlty was iconic — her commanding presence and quick-fire lines balanced the chaos created by her bumbling husband Basil. Her famous bark of “Basil!” became a cultural touchstone of British television.
BBC’s director of comedy Jon Petrie called her “a national treasure whose brilliance as Sybil Fawlty lit up screens and still makes us laugh today.”
A Lasting Legacy On and Off Screen
Beyond Fawlty Towers, Scales earned critical acclaim for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s A Question of Attribution (1991), which earned her a BAFTA nomination. She also starred in stage productions like Long Day’s Journey Into Night and the hit radio series After Henry.
Later in life, she and her husband Timothy West captivated audiences with Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4 — a heartfelt travel series that chronicled their adventures and enduring love story despite her dementia diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s Society paid tribute to Scales, praising her courage and openness about living with dementia. “Prunella was an inspiration not just for her achievements on screen, but for shining an important light on the UK’s biggest killer,” said CEO Corinne Mills.
As the curtain falls on one of Britain’s most beloved performers, Prunella Scales dies leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and grace that will continue to inspire generations.
