Farewell to Prunella Scales, the Beloved Sybil Fawlty

Prunella Scales, the beloved British actress best known for her iconic role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, has passed away at 93. Her family confirmed she died peacefully at home in London, surrounded by loved ones.

“Our darling mother died peacefully yesterday,” her sons, Samuel and Joseph, said in a statement. “Although dementia forced her retirement, she continued to live at home.” They added that she had been watching Fawlty Towers the day before her passing.

Diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, Scales faced the illness with grace and humor. Her husband of more than 60 years, actor Timothy West, passed away last year. Together they raised two sons, one stepdaughter, and shared a large, loving family.

Over a career spanning seven decades, Scales became one of Britain’s most admired comic talents. Her sharp wit and timing as Sybil — Basil Fawlty’s no-nonsense wife — made her a national treasure. Her signature “BASIL!” remains one of television’s most unforgettable lines.

Beyond comedy, she earned a BAFTA nomination for portraying Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991). Later, she and West charmed audiences in Great Canal Journeys, offering tender reflections on love and aging.

Tributes have poured in, praising Scales as “a gifted, intelligent, and funny human being.” Her legacy endures — a life defined by laughter, courage, and love.