Actress Prunella Scales, Better Known As “sybil”, Has Passed Away Aged 93

Prunella Scales, nan highly acclaimed and much-loved British character immortalised arsenic nan sharp-tongued Sybil Fawlty successful nan sitcom Fawlty Towers, has passed distant astatine nan property of 93. 

Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, announced her death successful a heartfelt statement, revealing she died peacefully astatine location connected Monday, October 27, aft watching episodes of nan show nan time before.

“Our darling mother, Prunella Scales, died peacefully astatine location successful London yesterday,” nan connection read. “She was 93. Although dementia had forced her status from a singular acting profession of astir 70 years, she continued to unrecorded astatine home. She was watching Fawlty Towers nan time earlier she died.”

Scales’ portrayal of Sybil, nan domineering yet affectionate woman to John Cleese’s bumbling and snobby Basil Fawlty, created her spot successful tv history. The BBC series, which aired conscionable 12 episodes betwixt 1975 and 1979, is wide regarded arsenic nan pinnacle of British drama and nan astir translated TV show successful history and won nan British Academy Television Award for Best Scripted Comedy and is often called “the British sitcom by which each different British sitcoms must beryllium judged.” Set successful a chaotic Torquay hotel, it showcased Scales’ impeccable timing and comedic perfection.

Born successful 1932, Scales enjoyed a prolific profession covering stage, screen, and radio. Early roles included a now-lost 1952 BBC adjustment of Pride and Prejudice. She later appeared successful films specified arsenic Lord of Misrule (1996), Jane Austen’s Emma (1996), and Wolf (1994). On television, she starred successful bid for illustration A Question of Attribution (1992), earning her a BAFTA nomination; After Henry; Mapp and Lucia; Smelling of Roses; and Ladies of Letters.

Theatre was a passion, pinch Scales performing Queen Victoria complete 400 times successful An Evening With Queen Victoria. Along pinch her husband, character Timothy West, who died earlier her successful November 2024 aft 61 years of marriage, she presented 10 bid of Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys from 2014 to 2020, which charmed viewers pinch narrowboat adventures. The mates besides featured connected a bid of Celebrity Gogglebox.

Diagnosed pinch vascular dementia successful 2013, Scales retired but remained progressive astatine home. Her family expressed gratitude for nan attraction she received, saying her last days were “comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.” She is survived by 2 sons, a stepdaughter, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Scales’ bequest of being 1 of nan finest actresses nan UK has ever produced will past everlastingly done her versatile performances and nan absolute joyousness she brought to millions.