Prunella Scales' devastating dementia battle as Timothy West shared sad reality

Prunella Scales sadly passed away at the age of 93 after a decade-long battle with dementia. The Fawlty Towers icon was diagnosed with vascular dementia back in 2014, which sadly brought the end of her lustrous acting career. Her sons, Samuel and Joseph, confirmed the actress died "peacefully at home in London yesterday".

The statement from the devastated siblings read: "Our darling mother, Prunella Scales, died peacefully at home in London yesterday (October 27). 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." Before his death at the age of 90 last year, the late actor opened up about his wife's heartbreaking diagnosis.

He told press at the time how he spent "a lot of time" reassuring Prunella when she was confused. Timothy confessed: "I miss Pru's companionship as my best friend. She doesn't have much awareness of time so when she joins me, her face lights up as if we've been apart for days.

"The look on her face makes me realise how much I love her. She seems to manage incredibly well with things, as I try to, but surely she must sometimes wonder whether she is going to be allowed to end her days in this house that has been so dear to us.

"Not recognising me hasn't been a problem, but it will come, I'm sure," he added. The star revealed how he had consulted the couple's GP about her memory a year before her diagnosis, but was reassured at the time not to worry about it.

Speaking to the BBC after they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2023, Timothy said: "Somehow we have coped with it, and Pru doesn't really think about it." Timothy also confessed to the Alzheimer's Society that year that he didn't know much about the disease before her diagnosis.

He admitted: "I'm unable to have the same in-depth conversation about stage productions with Pru that I used to enjoy. But we continue to do the things we have always done, as it's important to continue to live.

"I appreciate that everyone's experience of dementia can be different. I'm very sympathetic to anybody who has difficulty, either on their own or having to cope with relatives or friends with dementia."

Timothy later wrote a book about their experience with dementia titled Pru and Me, and revealed that the couple had the "same conversation every day of the week" but "it's something I never tire of".

"Repetition doesn't really exist in Pru's world, and the look on her face when she enters the room and sees me sitting there on the sofa waiting for her makes me realise just how much I love her."

Prunella herself told The Times in September 2024 that her memory was "less good" but added that not being able to work would make her "very depressed". She explained: "If we're out of work, we get very depressed.

"As one gets older, one's memory and living from minute to minute changes, doesn't it? You get less efficient." Before his death, the couple's son Dam revealed in October 2024 that Prunella was "fine" and "enjoying a cruise".

He added: "I'm not sure if she knew where she was, but she enjoyed getting there". The actress was best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, the stern wife of John Cleese's Basil Fawlty in the beloved '70s sitcom.

The show ran for two series between 1975 and 1979 and is still considered one of the best British comedy series ever made. She also appeared in Coronation Street between January and February in 1961 as bus conductress, Eileen Hughes.