Timothy West dead: Legendary British actor and husband of Fawlty Towers star dies aged 90

British acting legend Timothy West – husband of Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales – has died at the age of 90.

Legendary British actor Timothy West has died “in his sleep” aged 90.

Timothy was the husband of Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales, who he cared for after her dementia diagnosis in 2014.

The couple were married for 61 years and enjoyed later-life success on their series Great Canal Journeys, reports The Sun.

Timothy was best known for his roles in Coronation Street as Eric Babbage and in EastEnders as Stan Carter.

The actor was one of just a handful of stars to appear in both rival soaps, alongside Andrew Sachs and Denise Welch.

He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Macbeth twice and King Lear four times.

Timothy was friends with Queen Camilla and attended her wedding to the future King Charles with Prunella in 2005.

Timothy West and Prunella Scales. Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

His children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West said: “After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening.

“He was 90 years old. 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.”

In a statement published by Timothy’s agent, the family added: “All of us will miss him terribly.

“We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George’s Hospital, Tooting and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days.”

In later life, between 2014 and 2019, the couple filmed Great Canal Journeys, a Channel 4 series celebrating their love of narrow boating.

Prunella was diagnosed with vascular dementia, a form of the disease caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, in 2014.

West (left) with his wife, Prunella Scales and British actor Rodney Bewes in a scene from the stage production of Big In Brazil in London, September 1984. Picture: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Timothy described her condition in his memoir Pru and Me.

He revealed he had consulted the couple’s GP about her memory a year before her diagnosis – but had been told not to worry.

Speaking to the BBC soon after the couple’s diamond wedding anniversary in 2023, he said: “Somehow we have coped with it and Pru doesn’t really think about it.”

Paying tribute, Piers Morgan said: “RIP Timothy West, 90. A wonderful actor, and delightful man.

“My Life Stories interview with him, as the love of his life Prunella Scales sat in the audience, was so moving.

“They were married for 61 years, and his devotion to her after she developed Alzheimer’s was profoundly touching.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.