Prunella Scales, the beloved British actress best known for her unforgettable turn as Sybil Fawlty in the iconic sitcom Fawlty Towers, died peacefully at her home in London on October 27, 2025. She was 93. Her death, confirmed by her sons Samuel and Joseph West, marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned nearly seven decades and left an indelible imprint on British comedy and theatre.
"Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93," her sons said in a statement, according to the BBC. They added that she was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died, a fitting tribute to the role that made her a household name. Despite being diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, Scales continued to live at home and remained surrounded by her family and memories of her storied career.
Scales’ passing comes less than a year after the death of her husband, actor Timothy West, in November 2024. The couple, married since 1963, were not only partners in life but also in art. From 2014 to 2019, they charmed viewers with their gentle wit and deep affection on Channel 4’s travel series Great Canal Journeys, exploring waterways across Britain and abroad. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the program was praised for its honest depiction of Scales’ dementia, with West once stating, “We were good at it.” Their shared journey brought viewers a rare glimpse into enduring love and resilience in the face of illness.
Born in Surrey, England, on June 22, 1932, Scales was destined for the stage. Her mother was an actress, and her father, a cotton salesman, served in both World Wars. She began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Bristol Old Vic before landing her first major role as Lydia Bennet in a 1952 BBC miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Early film appearances included Hobson’s Choice (1954) and Waltz of the Toreadors (1962).
Scales’ big break on television came in the 1960s with the sitcom Marriage Lines, opposite Richard Briers. She went on to appear in a string of acclaimed productions, including Coronation Street and the radio comedy After Henry. On stage, her West End credits ranged from Long Day’s Journey Into Night to the one-woman show An Evening with Queen Victoria. In 1992, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a testament to her contributions to the arts.
But it was Sybil Fawlty—the sharp-tongued, stylish, and endlessly exasperated wife of Basil Fawlty—who would secure Scales’ place in television history. Fawlty Towers, co-created and written by John Cleese, aired just 12 episodes across two seasons in 1975 and 1979. Yet, as the British Film Institute later declared, it was voted the number one British television program of all time in 2000. The chemistry between Scales and Cleese was electric, with Sybil’s withering put-downs and Basil’s bumbling incompetence creating comedic gold. As Cleese himself reflected, “How very sad. Pru was a really wonderful comic actress. I’ve recently been watching a number of clips of Fawlty Towers whilst researching a book. Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect. She was a very sweet lady who spent a lot of her life apologizing. I used to tease her about it. I was very, very fond of her.”
For Scales, the role of Sybil was both a blessing and a challenge. She once said, “I feel very grateful for Sybil. Fawlty Towers was very hard to make, but it was very stimulating.” In a 2024 interview with The Times, she admitted she “loves it when people don’t” ask her about the show, finding the topic “boring.” Still, the part proved to be a career-defining moment, with the character’s braying laugh and sharp suits becoming instantly recognizable. Sybil, with her permed hair and commanding presence, was the force behind the fictional Fawlty Hotel, often stepping in to clean up Basil’s messes or to benefit from his misfortunes.
Scales’ talents extended far beyond sitcoms. She received a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s 1991 televised play A Question of Attribution and was praised for her stage performances, including her turn as Queen Victoria. Later film roles included appearances in Room at the Top (1959), The Boys From Brazil (1978), Howards End (1992), and Johnny English (2003). She even became a familiar face to a new generation as Dotty in a series of Tesco commercials, her catchphrase “Every little helps” entering the British lexicon.
Tributes poured in following news of her death. BBC One aired a special episode of Fawlty Towers—"The Builders"—in her honor, and West End theatres in London dimmed their lights for two minutes in remembrance. Mia Austen, who plays Sybil in the stage adaptation Fawlty Towers: The Play, said she felt “the weight and joy of honouring her legacy,” calling the role “nothing but a privilege.” Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, described Scales as “a national treasure whose brilliance as Sybil Fawlty lit up screens and still makes us laugh today.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Scales was lauded for her openness about living with dementia. Corinne Mills, interim chief executive officer for Alzheimer’s Society, praised her for raising awareness: “Prunella was an inspiration not just for her achievements on screen, but because she spoke so openly about living with dementia, shining an important light on the UK’s biggest killer.”
Scales is survived by her sons Samuel and Joseph West, stepdaughter Juliet West, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her legacy endures not only in the laughter she brought to millions but in the courage and candor with which she faced her final years. As her sons put it, “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.” Her last days, they said, were “comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.”
In the end, Prunella Scales leaves behind a body of work that will continue to inspire and entertain, and a life that quietly championed resilience, humor, and grace in the face of adversity.
