PRUNELLA SCALES

 It was sad but not unecxpected to hear that the incomparable Prunella Scales had died. “Incomparable”  because how can we forget her as Sybil in Fawlty Towers or being so open about her vascular dementia in the series Great Canal Journeys (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zRI7xwN_mU) made with husband of (eventually) 60 years, the equally wonderful actor Timothy West.

Tim died last year and did a post on my website about how and when I met him, during a production of Women Beware Women: https://www.anntonks.com.au/category/anns-blog/

Gabrielle Sullivan, Pru, Tim, me, Rita Clarke, Phillip & Colin O'Brien - 1982

While Tim was in Perth, Pru bought the children out to Australia to be with him and they were a delightful family. We had entertaining outings and dinners, including one at the parent’s home which was somewhat challenging as Betty didn’t enjoy TV comedy and had never watched a Fawlty Towers episode. However, I just remember the laughter and the warmth.

A few years later, Susan and I were in London and spent a marvellous Christmas day with Pru and Tim. Of course, as life went on, our communication reduced to shared Christmas cards but I still hold both of them very fondly in my mind.

 

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