Legendary Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales dies aged 93 after dementia diagnosis

Prunella Scales during Crown Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse November 4, 2004 in Melbourne, Australia. — Prunella Scales played the iconic role of Sybil Fawlty (Picture: Regis Martin/Getty Images)

Fawlty Towers legend Prunella Scales has died aged 93, following a dementia diagnosis.

The actress was best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty, the bossy wife of Basil Fawlty, in the iconic BBC sitcom.

Scales was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died, according to her sons Samuel and Joseph West.

They said in a statement: ‘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.’

The statement to PA continued: ‘Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024.

RYE, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Queen Camilla (R) is seen meeting Prunella Scales and Timothy West (L) during a garden party at Lamb House on May 16, 2024 in Rye, England. Her Majesty then joined guests at the garden party in celebration of Rye's literacy history. During the Garden Party, Gyles Brandreth, President of the Friends of Tilling, actor Timothy West and Oscar winner Hayley Mills gave readings. After departing Lamb House, Queen Camilla strolled down Rye's Mermaid Street. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images) — Scales is survived by two sons (Picture: Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

(FILE PHOTO) FILE - Actor Timothy West Dies Aged 90. British actor Timothy West, wearing a white shirt with a bow tie and no trousers, with his wife, British actress Prunella Scales, wearing Edwardian underwear, and British actor Rodney Bewes (1937-2017), wearing a white suit with a red button hole, in a scene from the stage production of 'Big In Brazil,' at the Old Vic in London, England, September 1984. The play, which was written by Bamber Gascoigne, was directed by Mel Smith. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — The actress lost her husband Timothy West in November (Picture: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

‘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.’