British television legend Prunella Scales, best known for her iconic role as the long-suffering Sybil Fawlty in the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 93. Her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully at home in London, surrounded by loved ones.
Scales' career spanned nearly seven decades, during which she appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stage productions. She began her acting career in the early 1960s in the sitcom Marriage Lines and went on to feature in various BBC Radio 4 sitcoms. Her breakthrough role as Sybil Fawlty cemented her status as a household name, and she became synonymous with the character's sharp wit and acidic tongue.
In recent years, Scales found new success with Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys, which she co-presented alongside her late husband Timothy West. The program, which explored waterways in the UK and abroad, became a surprise hit for the couple, who credited their enduring love story as a key factor in their on-screen chemistry.
Despite struggling with vascular dementia since 2013, Scales continued to work, using her platform to raise awareness about the condition. Her courage in speaking openly about living with dementia has inspired countless others and left a lasting impact on the UK's dementia community.
As news of Scales' passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow actors alike. Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth remembered her as "a funny, intelligent, interesting, gifted human being," while Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, hailed her as a "national treasure" whose brilliance shone through on screen.
Scales' legacy extends far beyond Fawlty Towers, however. Her remarkable body of work and commitment to raising awareness about dementia have cemented her place in British television history. As she leaves behind a loving family, friends, and fans, it is clear that Prunella Scales will be deeply missed.
Scales' career spanned nearly seven decades, during which she appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stage productions. She began her acting career in the early 1960s in the sitcom Marriage Lines and went on to feature in various BBC Radio 4 sitcoms. Her breakthrough role as Sybil Fawlty cemented her status as a household name, and she became synonymous with the character's sharp wit and acidic tongue.
In recent years, Scales found new success with Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys, which she co-presented alongside her late husband Timothy West. The program, which explored waterways in the UK and abroad, became a surprise hit for the couple, who credited their enduring love story as a key factor in their on-screen chemistry.
Despite struggling with vascular dementia since 2013, Scales continued to work, using her platform to raise awareness about the condition. Her courage in speaking openly about living with dementia has inspired countless others and left a lasting impact on the UK's dementia community.
As news of Scales' passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow actors alike. Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth remembered her as "a funny, intelligent, interesting, gifted human being," while Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, hailed her as a "national treasure" whose brilliance shone through on screen.
Scales' legacy extends far beyond Fawlty Towers, however. Her remarkable body of work and commitment to raising awareness about dementia have cemented her place in British television history. As she leaves behind a loving family, friends, and fans, it is clear that Prunella Scales will be deeply missed.
, but at the same time, isn't it a shame we've lost her genius on our screens? 
I mean, I loved Fawlty Towers too much to want her gone 
, but I also can see why they'd say she was getting a bit long in the tooth for TV work 
... hmm what's the point I guess, she's still gone and we'll all miss her 
just heard the sad news about Prunella Scales 
. I loved watching her in Great Canal Journeys too! 
she had this way of making you laugh but also kinda make you feel... something deeper, ya know? 
anyway, it's clear she left a big mark on British TV & we'll miss her so much 
. 
. Her strength in talking openly about dementia is something we can all learn from 
. Its a shame she struggled with it for so long, but its awesome that she used her platform to raise awareness 
. She was defo a national treasure! 
she brought the whole character to life in such a hilarious way 
she used her platform to raise awareness and that's truly admirable 
my english teacher told us abt how sybil fawlty was basically a iconic character in british comedy 
we didnt really learn much about prunella scales tho 
maybe we should read some books or watch her old shows to get a feel for who she was and what made her tick 