The world of comedy has lost one of its greats. Prunella Scales, the celebrated British actress best known for her iconic role as the sharp-witted Sybil Fawlty in the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers, has died peacefully at her London home at the age of 93. Her family confirmed her passing, noting that she was surrounded by love until the very end.
Scales’s portrayal of Sybil, the formidable wife to John Cleese’s hapless hotel manager Basil, cemented her status as a national treasure. With her signature perm, steely gaze, and impeccable comic timing, she created one of television’s most memorable characters. Her ability to deliver a cutting remark or a perfectly timed “BASIL!” became a defining feature of the show, which remains a beloved classic decades after its original run.
Her career, however, spanned far beyond the confines of the Torquay hotel. With a professional life covering nearly 70 years, Scales demonstrated remarkable range. She earned a BAFTA nomination for her dramatic performance as Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution and captivated audiences for years in the sitcom The Marriage Lines. Her talent was both versatile and enduring, making her a respected figure across stage, film, and television.
In her later years, she shared a different kind of spotlight with her husband, actor Timothy West, in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys. The show, which featured the couple navigating waterways, became a touching portrait of their enduring love, especially as Scales lived with vascular dementia. Her family revealed she had been watching Fawlty Towers just a day before she passed, a fitting tribute to the role that brought so much laughter to millions. She is survived by her two sons, a stepdaughter, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
