Timothy West, beloved British actor, passed away on November 12, 2024, aged 90, after a long and distinguished life in theater, film, and television. His death, whilst bringing attention back to his long and distinguished successful career, also brought attention to his long-term wife, Prunella Scales, better known as the actress from Fawlty Towers, and the toll her long-term illness has taken.Family members have said Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by loved ones. In the days following the death of Timothy West, it has been revealed that Prunella Scales, who had lived with vascular dementia for a few years, was "not really well enough to take it all in," according to their son.The death of Timothy West and its immediate aftermathTimothy West died aged 90 on November 12, 2024, after he suffered a major fall in August that required him to go to the hospital, and he was later placed into a care home in Wandsworth Common, in Southwest London.After being placed into a care home, Timothy died, surrounded at the end of his life by family. The family made a statement, describing Timothy as having led a long, bright life and stating their sadness at his demise. Timothy West had been a partner to Prunella Scales since 1963, and in later life, they worked together on the television travel series Great Canal Journeys about the travels of the couple on the canals of Britain.Henry IV - Source: GettyPrunella Scales' reaction and the family's statementAfter the death of her husband, Samuel noted and pointed out that tragically, she wasn't well enough to take it all in. She had vascular dementia since 2013 and had become increasingly withdrawn from public life. The family stated she had been unwell and was forced to retire from her nearly 70-year career. She lived at home and watched Fawlty Towers, her own sitcom, the night before she died.Due to her dementia, the family added that she did not understand her husband's death at all. Their son, Samuel, told The Sunday Times:"All I am going to say is she’s not really well enough to take it all in."West himself had made public comments in earlier years about how he and Scales had attempted to live in the moment on a day-to-day basis following her diagnosis. The family remarked that her last days were peaceful, surrounded by their love, and they are grateful to the teams who cared for her.Prunella Scales died at the age of 93 on October 27, 2025, after Timothy West died in November 2024, at the age of 90. Her death brought attention again to the issue of grief when a partner's cognitive health prevents comprehension of what is being lost.Timothy West and Prunella Scales had long lives together, married for over 60 years, and they always looked out for each other. The family has stated that they were both at peace and surrounded by love. Both actors have an incredible body of filmography in the theater and on screen that will continue to be experienced in the public sphere.