LONDON – Prunella Scales, the British actress best known for her iconic role as Sybil Fawlty in the legendary sitcom Fawlty Towers, passed away peacefully at her home in London on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the age of 93. Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, noting that she was watching her beloved Fawlty Towers the day before her death.
Born Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth on June 22, 1932, in Sutton Abinger, Surrey, Scales enjoyed a remarkable seven-decade career in film, television, and theatre. The daughter of actress Catherine Scales and cotton salesman John Richardson Illingworth, she honed her craft at Moira House Girls’ School in Eastbourne and later trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her early roles included appearances in the 1952 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and the 1954 film Hobson’s Choice, but it was her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers (1975–1979) that cemented her as a household name.
In Fawlty Towers, Scales portrayed the sharp-tongued, formidable Sybil, the long-suffering wife of John Cleese’s chaotic hotelier Basil Fawlty. Her impeccable comedic timing and chemistry with Cleese made the sitcom a cultural touchstone, still celebrated 50 years later for its timeless humor. Scales drew inspiration for Sybil from a domineering hotel owner she encountered as a child, delivering a performance that Jon Petrie, BBC’s director of comedy, described as “brilliant” and “a national treasure.”
John Cleese, her Fawlty Towers co-star, led tributes, calling Scales “a really wonderful comic actress” whose scene work was “absolutely perfect.” Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth remembered her as a “funny, intelligent, interesting, gifted human being,” recalling a 2024 encounter with Scales and Queen Camilla at Lamb House in Rye, celebrating her role in Mapp & Lucia.
Beyond Fawlty Towers, Scales’ career was diverse and distinguished. She played Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s A Question of Attribution, earning a BAFTA nomination, and starred alongside Ronnie Barker in the BBC’s Seven of One (1973). In later years, she and her husband of 61 years, actor Timothy West, who passed away in November 2024, captivated audiences with their Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), where they explored waterways across Europe and Britain. The series, which continued after Scales’ 2013 vascular dementia diagnosis, showcased their enduring love and resilience.
Scales’ openness about living with dementia raised significant awareness for the condition. Corinne Mills, interim CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, praised her as a “true British icon” who “shone an important light on the UK’s biggest killer.” Despite her diagnosis forcing her retirement from acting, Scales remained at home, surrounded by
family, until her final days.
Her sons’ statement expressed gratitude to those who provided care, noting that her “last days were comfortable, contented, and surrounded by love.” Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, with Sky News presenter Kay Burley calling her “one of the finest comedic actresses of our time” and This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary pausing their show to honor her legacy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman hailed Scales as part of a “golden era for British comedy” whose talent brought joy to millions.
The BBC adjusted its schedule to air a special Fawlty Towers episode on October 28, 2025, at 8 PM on BBC One, celebrating Scales’ enduring contribution to comedy.
Scales is survived by her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, and her stepdaughter, Juliet, from Timothy West’s previous marriage. Her legacy as a versatile actress and beloved figure in British entertainment will continue to resonate through her unforgettable performances and the warmth she shared with audiences worldwide.