Prunella will be forever known as Sybil Fawlty, long-suffering wife of Basil

Prunella Scales, best known for her role as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 93. Here, we take a look at the life of one of Britain’s best-loved actresses

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Scales was devoted to husband Timothy West, pictured here in 1977

PRUNELLA Scales was one of the most successful and popular comedy actresses of her generation - achieving worldwide fame and recognition as Sybil, the long-suffering wife of Basil Fawlty in the memorable TV series Fawlty Towers.

But although she was regularly cast in comic roles, her abilities ranged far more widely than that - she even appeared in opera.

Scales also played Queen Elizabeth Il in the British film A Question Of Attribution, as well as appearing in a one-woman show called An Evening With Queen Victoria.

But she will be remembered most of all for her role in “partnership” with John Cleese in Fawlty Towers, often regarded as the most hilarious comedy series ever shown on television.

Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth was born on June 22, 1932, and attended Moira House Girls’ School in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Her early work, during a long career, included parts in the second UK adaptation of Pride And Prejudice (1952) and Hobson’s Choice (1954).

Her career break came with the early 1960s sitcom Marriage Lines, starring opposite Richard Briers.