British actor Timothy West enjoyed a successful career over the span of six decades, thanks to iconic roles in TV series, as well as performances on stage. Alongside his wife, Prunella Scales, the actor made a name for himself before retiring for good in 2021, due to the actress' declining health.
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Timothy West passed away aged 90
The actor's children announced his death on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, through a joint statement posted on social media. Samuel West, who is also an actor, shared on X:
After a long and extraordinary life on and off stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old.
An inquest into his death revealed that he passed away in a care home, and was identified by a nurse.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales had two sons together, Samuel and Joseph, and the actor also had a daughter, Juliet, from his previous union to actress Jacqueline Boyer which ended in 1961. Timothy West's three children paid tribute to their extraordinary father.
They reassured fans that the actor was surrounded by love and support in his last few days, despite being hospitalised. They wrote:
Tim was with friends and family at the end. He leaves his wife Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.
His son, Samuel, who is also an actor, revealed the last words his father told him. He said:
Where are you going to rehearsals?
Samuel spoke of his father's passing with The Sunday Times, and said he thought that it was 'rather beautiful'.
No more visitors backstage. He took a deep breath in the wings and went on. And so it was a good death, surrounded by his three children. He was in his sleep, he was pain-free. I mean, we should all hope for something so good.
— Samuel West 💙💛 (@exitthelemming) November 13, 2024
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years Prunella Scales.
Timothy's loving relationship with Prunella Scales
Timothy West married fellow actress Prunella Scales in 1963. The couple remained extremely close throughout their lives, as well as in their careers. While they both enjoyed fame for their respective roles on TV series, they also joined their shared interests in Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys, a docu-series which showed the couple travelling on British canals and having the time of their lives.
Sadly, after almost 60 years of happiness, they had to face their biggest challenge yet. In 2014, Prunella Scales was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Despite her diagnosis, the actress continued to work alongside her husband for television. Almost six years later, as her health deteriorated, the actress was forced to stop working, and her husband also retired to look after her.
Last year (2023), Timothy West shared his inner feelings with the Daily Mail, speaking about his wife's condition and how it affects the family's everyday life. He explained:
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.
Not recognising me hasn't been a problem but it will come, I'm sure.
The 92-year-old actress can count on the support of her children, but she will surely miss her husband of 61 years. While sitting down with BBC Breakfast, the actress and her husband talked about the effect of the illness on Pru's life. Timothy West explained:
It has been something which we bear in mind all of the time, really. It's just something you have to think of. People understand and are very helpful and sympathetic about it.
However, Prunella Scales had a witty response to the question, saying:
Well I think elderly people get it anyway don't they?
Read more:
Julie Goodyear's husband opens up about her dementia diagnosis: 'I miss the fun-loving wife'
Danniella Westbrook heartbroken as her father passes away after years of battling dementia
Alastair Stewart: Everything we know about the GB News presenter’s career after dementia diagnosis
Sources used:
Daily Mail: Timothy West dies aged 90: Legendary actor and husband of Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales passes away 'peacefully' surrounded by friends and family
BBC: Prunella Scales and Timothy West: Dementia won't break our 60-year love story
Daily Mail: Timothy West, 88, candidly details the heartbreaking effect dementia has had on his wife Prunella Scales, 91, as he says: 'I miss her companionship as my best friend'
