Cleese leads Scales tributes

ACTOR John Cleese has paid tribute to his Fawlty Towers costar Prunella Scales following her death aged 93, saying she was “a really wonderful comic actress,” adding: “Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect.”

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Prunella Scales

(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Scales starred in the popular BBC comedy series playing Sybil, the long-suffering wife of bumbling hotelier Basil Fawlty, played by Cleese.

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 to the PA news agency yesterday. 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.”