Fawlty Towers actress Prunella Scales, best known for her role as Sybil, has died aged 93, her family has said.
Prunella Scales was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died, her sons Samuel and Joseph West said.
They said in a statement to the PA news agency: “Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday.
“She was 93. Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home. She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died.
“Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024.
“She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
“We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.”
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Prunella Scales was one of the most successful and popular comedy actresses of her generation – achieving worldwide fame and recognition as Sybil, the long-suffering wife of Basil Fawlty in the memorable TV series Fawlty Towers.
Her performances, alongside John Cleese, are often regarded as arguably some of TV’s funniest comedy moments ever.
But although she was regularly cast in comic roles, her abilities ranged far more widely than that – she even appeared in opera.
Scales also played Queen Elizabeth II in the British film A Question Of Attribution as well as appearing in a one-woman show called, An Evening With Queen Victoria.
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