Prunella Scales' son shares health update after death of husband Timothy West

Coronation Street and Dad's Army star Timothy West sadly died this week, his family announced. It comes after his son, Samuel West, shared an update on the health of his mother and Timothy's wife of 61-years, Prunella Scales.

The 92-year-old star of Faulty Towers was diagnosed with vascular dementia back in 2014. Discussing his mother's situation, Samuel spoke of her inspiring outlook which she embraced following a recent cruise vacation.

He said: "My mother went on a cruise the other day, I'm not sure if she knew where she was but she enjoyed getting there. She said: 'I don't always know where I'm going but I enjoy getting there,' and I thought if that is her philosophy, that might have to be mine as well."

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A family statement announced that 90-year-old Timothy died on Tuesday, November 12. His heartbroken children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph said in a statement released the following day: "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 greatgrandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly."

Prunella and Timothy previously appeared in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys between 2014 and 2021, which saw them travelling on narrowboats together. She said of aging: "As one gets older, one's memory and living from minute to minute changes, doesn't it? You get less efficient.

"My memory is less good. I mean, I do forget things and that's age, the same as everybody else."

Despite her health challenges, she reportedly remains determined to continue her work in television and theatre. Recently, Prunella has been busy recording new voiceovers for a production at the Tabard Studio Theatre in West London, CambridgeshireLive reports.

Paying tribute to West on Times Radio, Dame Joanna Lumley, who campaigned alongside him to destigmatise dementia, said he would be a “huge loss to everybody”.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.