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Prunella Scales

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

June 22, 1932

Died

October 27, 2025 (age 93)

Place of Birth

Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England, UK

Also Known As

Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales

Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth

پرونلا اسکیلز

Prunella Scales

Biography

Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales CBE (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932) was an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (Screen One, BBC 1991) by Alan Bennett (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award); and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.

Filmography

2025FilmThe Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers 2014Film50 Years of BBC Two Comedyas Self 2014TVGreat Canal Journeysas Self 2014FilmSub Rosaas Madame 2013FilmThe Phone Callas Joan 2012FilmRun For Your Wifeas Woman in Pub 2011FilmHorrid Henry: The Movieas Great Aunt Greta 2009FilmFawlty Towers: Re-Openedas Self / Sybil Fawlty 2007FilmThe Shell Seekersas Dolly Keeling 2007FilmThinkas Customer 2007FilmWhat the Pythons Did Next...as Self 2006FilmMr. Loveday's Little Outingas Lady Moping 2005FilmFawlty Towers Revisitedas Herself 2005FilmThe Funny Blokes of British Comedyas Sybil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)2004TVAgatha Christie's Marpleas Mrs Mackenzie 2003TVThe Royalas Red Admiral 2002TVDickensas Elizabeth Dickens 2002FilmA Day In The Death Of Joe Eggas Grace 2001FilmStation Jimas Queen Victoria 2000FilmThe Ghost of Greville Lodgeas Sarah 1999FilmMad Cowsas Dr. Minny Stinkler 1999TVLoose Womenas Self 1999FilmAn Ideal Husbandas Lady Markby 1998FilmStiff Upper Lipsas Aunt Agnes 1997TVKeeping Mumas Marjorie 1997FilmAn Audience with Alf Garnett 1997TVMidsomer Murdersas Eleanor Bunsall 1996FilmEmmaas Miss Bates 1996FilmBreaking the Codeas Sara Turing 1996FilmLord of Misruleas Shirley 1996TVDennis the Menace and Gnasheras Mrs. Duffel 1996TVDalziel & Pascoe 1996TVSilent Witnessas Anne Parker 1995TVThe World of Lee Evansas Mother 1995TVLook at the State We're In!as Storyteller 1995FilmAn Awfully Big Adventureas Rose 1995TVSigns and Wondersas Elizabeth Palmore 1994FilmSecond Bestas Margery 1994FilmWolfas Maude Waggins 1994FilmFair Gameas Marjorie 1994FilmThe World of Peter Rabbit and Friends: The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mr. Jeremy Fisheras Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (voice)1994TVThe Rector's Wifeas Marjorie Richardson 1992FilmFreddie As F.R.O.7.as Queen (voice)1992FilmMy Friend Walteras Aunt Ellie 1992FilmHowards Endas Aunt Juley 1991FilmA Question of Attributionas H.M.Q.1990FilmThe Tale of Little Pig Robinsonas Fleecy Flock 1990FilmDirty Beastsas Narrator 1990FilmRevolting Rhymesas Narrator 1989FilmBeyond The Paleas Milly 1989FilmA Chorus of Disapprovalas Hannah Ap Llewellyn 1989FilmBosses From Hell 1989FilmCommunicators From Hell 1988TVThompson 1988FilmNatural Causesas Celia Bryce 1988FilmConsuming Passionsas Ethel 1988TVAfter Henryas Sarah France 1987FilmWhen We Are Marriedas Annie Parker 1987FilmThe Lonely Passion of Judith Hearneas Moira O'Neill 1987FilmWhat the Butler Sawas Mrs Prentice 1986FilmHome Cookingas Judith 1986TVUnnatural Causesas Judith 1986TVCasualtyas Jocelyn Anderson 1985TVTheatre Nightas Mrs. Prentice 1985TVMapp & Luciaas Miss Elizabeth Mapp 1985FilmAbsurd Person Singularas Marion Brewster-Wright 1984FilmSlimming Downas Mrs. Shrigley 1983FilmThe Wicked Ladyas Lady Kingsclere 1983FilmSinglesas Gail 1982FilmThe Merry Wives of Windsoras Mistress Page 1982FilmOutside Edgeas Miriam 1981TVBergeracas Gloria Gibbins 1981TVNever the Twainas Susan Peel 1978FilmDoris and Doreenas Doris Rutter 1978FilmThe Boys from Brazilas Mrs. Harrington 1978FilmThe Hound of the Baskervillesas Glynis 1978TVAn Audience with...as Self 1977TVTargetas Diana Blake 1977FilmThe Achurch Lettersas Florence Farr 1976TVLucky Feller 1976FilmThe Littlest Horse Thievesas Mrs. Sandman 1975TVFawlty Towersas Sybil Fawlty 1975FilmThe Apple Cartas Queen Jemima 1974TVPlayhouseas Florence Farr 1973TVSeven of Oneas Marion Joyce 1973FilmThe Ring of Truthas Babs Pickard 1972TVCountry Mattersas Babs Pickard 1965TVBBC Play of the Monthas Queen Jemima 1965TVThirty-Minute Theatreas Marie 1962FilmWaltz of the Toreadorsas Estella Fitzjohn 1961TVFaces of Jimas Laura Morrell 1961TVMarriage Lines 1958FilmRoom at the Topas Council Office Worker (uncredited)1954FilmThe Crowded Dayas Customer 1954FilmWhat Every Woman Wantsas Mary 1954FilmHobson's Choiceas Vicky Hobson 1953FilmLaxdale Hallas Morag McLeod 1952TVPride and Prejudiceas Lydia Bennet