Coronation Street star Timothy West's death update released by coroner

Actor Timothy West passed away at the age of 90 earlier this month, prompting an inquest into his death. His children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West released a statement saying: "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."

They added: "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 great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly. We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George's Hospital, Tooting and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days."

This week, Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin initiated the inquest into his death at Westminster Coroner's Court, revealing that Timothy had passed away in a care home. She stated: "The deceased was identified as Timothy West, a British citizen, aged 90 years, born on October 20, 1934 in Bradford. He was an actor, husband of Prunella West."

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The Coronation Street actor was formally identified "by a care home nurse who knew the deceased since the time of admission to the care home". The inquest into Timothy's death has been adjourned until February 2025 for review, reports the Mirror.

Timothy, who portrayed Danny Dyer's character Mick's dad/grandad on EastEnders, was fondly remembered by his colleagues on the BBC soap. An EastEnders spokesperson expressed the show's sorrow upon learning of Timothy West's passing, stating: "We are extremely saddened to hear that Timothy West has passed away. Timothy joined EastEnders as Stan and his presence as the patriarch of the Carter family was immediately felt. He will forever be in our hearts. We send all our love and thoughts to Timothy's family and friends."

In his later years, Timothy devoted himself to caring for his wife Prunella Scales, adjusting to her life with vascular dementia, diagnosed in 2014 – although Timothy had spotted signs much earlier, as early as 2001 during one of her theatre performances. Engaged in a relationship that spanned sixty years, Timothy gave an emotional interview in November 2023, confessing the situation "isn't going to get better."

Recounting on BBC Breakfast he reflected: "It hasn't really been hard work has it? ," leading Prunella, at the age of 91, to lovingly interject: "No, he is the person I love and I enjoy being with..." to which he concluded: "That is about it I think! " During the conversation, Timothy revealed the moment he became aware of his wife's decline: "I came to see a play that Pru was doing in Greenwich. I went to see the first night and it was good, much enjoyed by the audience and then I went to see it again and I thought 'She's not totally with it'. We saw a specialist who said I am sorry this is just something that happens to you when you get older. It is not going to get any easier but we cope with it and we manage."