Download SPECIAL EDITION: Prunella Scales
In this special edition of Last Word, Matthew Bannister talks to the actor Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales.
Prunella died on the 27th October, aged 93.
Known for her work on stage and screen over many decades – Prunella was particularly renowned for her role as Sybil on Fawlty Towers. In addition to countless other roles, she appeared as Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett’s A Question of Attribution in the early 90s – earning a BAFTA nomination. In later life – as she began living with dementia – her hobby of canal boating alongside her husband – the actor Timothy West – was turned into a much loved series on Channel 4.
Producer: Ed Prendeville
Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan
Editor: Glyn Tansley
Published on Friday, 31st October 2025.
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