Fawlty Towers' John Cleese leads tributes to Prunella Scales

John Cleese has lead the stars paying tribute to actress Prunella Scales after her death at the age of 93, hailing her acting skills 'perfect'. 

The celebrated actress was best-known for her role as Sybil Fawlty - the long-suffering wife of John Cleese's hotel owner Basil - in BBC comedy Fawlty Towers.

Her death comes after her long battle with dementia and just under a year after her husband, the legendary actor Timothy West, passed away aged 90.

Leading the tributes, Fawlty Towers star John said of his former co-star in a statement: 'How very sad. Pru was a really wonderful comic actress. 

'I've recently been watching a number of clips of Fawlty Towers whilst researching a book. Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect.'

He added: 'She was a very sweet lady, who spent a lot of her life apologising. I used to tease her about it. I was very, very fond of her.'

Meanwhile Sky News presenter Kay Burley wrote: 'Good night Prunella Scales. One of the finest comedic actresses of our time. 

'Her sharp wit and impeccable delivery made Fawlty Towers unforgettable. She was 98.' Prunella was 93 when she passed away.

Meanwhile broadcaster and activist India Willoughby wrote: 'Very sad to hear about Prunella Scales. Was at Kings Cross a few years back and was lucky enough to share a lift (elevator) with Prunella and Timothy West. 

'Even in that 60 seconds, you could see how much Timothy loved her. Dementia is such a cruel disease. Condolences to her family and friends.'

This Morning commentator Gyles Brandreth said of the actress: 'Prunella Scales was a wonderful actress who brought her high intelligence to every part she played - from Sybil Fawlty to Elizabeth II. 

'She was funny, intrepid, interesting, interested, challenging, huge fun. & blessed with a beautiful marriage. All this & the canal journeys too!'

Elsewhere Doctor Who actress Frances Barber said: 'Prue Scales . What a gift to the world. Thankyou for all the divine performances Prue. RIP. X'

All Creatures Great and Small star Carol Drinkwater said: 'Dear wonderful Prunella Scales has followed Tim. My profound condolences to Sam West, to all their family and the myriad folk who loved her. Rest in Peace, Pru.' 

Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, paid tribute, saying: 'All of us at BBC Comedy are so sorry to hear of Prunella Scales' passing.

'She was a national treasure whose brilliance as Sybil Fawlty lit up screens and still makes us laugh today. We send our love and condolences to her family and friends.'

Elsewhere BBC Radio 2 presenter Sally Boazman said: 'My thoughts are with her boys, who have sadly lost both of their wonderful parents in recent months. Many condolences❤️.' 

The actress died 'peacefully at home in London yesterday' and had been watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died, her sons Samuel and Joseph said in a statement.

Their statement added: 'Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home.

'Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024.

'She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

'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.'

Fawlty Towers won the Bafta for best scripted comedy in 1976 and this year marked 50 years since the comedy show first appeared on screens.

The series also starred the late Andrew Sachs as hapless Spanish waiter Manuel, and Cleese's then-wife Connie Booth as chambermaid Polly.

Prunella had been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013.

She also played Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's A Question Of Attribution, a role which earned her a Bafta nomination, and in 1973 Scales teamed up with Ronnie Barker in the series Seven Of One, also for the BBC.

Her husband Timothy, who died in November 2024, starred in TV shows such as comedy drama Brass, sitcom Not Going Out and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders.

Together the couple filmed 10 series of the Channel 4 programme Great Canal Journeys, which saw them travel across the UK and other parts of the world exploring different waterways, and the couple also talked openly about Scales's diagnosis.

Their last journey for the programme was broadcast in June 2019.

In 2023, the couple did a joint interview with BBC Breakfast where Timothy spoke about first noticing signs of his wife's illness while she was performing on stage at the Greenwich Theatre in 2001.

Prunella's big career break was starring in the early 1960s sitcom Marriage Lines, and she also featured in many BBC Radio 4 sitcoms.