John Cleese pays heartbroken seven-word tribute to Fawlty Towers co-star Prunella Scales
John Cleese paid an emotional tribute to his on-screen wife Prunella Scales following her death.
Prunella Scales' Fawlty Towers co-star John Cleese has paid an emotional tribute following her death aged 93. He described his on-screen wife as “a really wonderful comic actress,” adding: “Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect.”
She was best known for playing Sybil Fawlty on the beloved BBC comedy, working alongside Cleese's hotel owner character Basil for the duration of the show. This year marked the 50th anniversary since the show first hit TV screens.
Sybil's beloved character was known for stepping in at the last minute to fix her husband Basil's mess as he struggled to stay on top of his Torquay hotel. The sitcom ran for 12 episodes between 1975 and 1979, and was written by Cleese and his wife Connie Booth, who played chambermaid Polly. Prunella's death was announced on October 28. A statement from Prunella's son Samuel read: "Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93," her sons told the PA News agency.
"Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home."
It added: "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."
Her death comes just 11 months after the passing of her husband Timothy West, who she was married to for over 60 years. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2013, and West's time was spent caring for his beloved wife. Speaking of their marriage in 2023, West said about Scales's dementia: "Somehow we have coped with it and Pru doesn't really think about it."
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He spoke of Prunella shortly before his death, saying: "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."
She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
