Actor Samuel West has revealed he was busy filming another series of his Channel 5 show, Sam & Ade Go Birding, while also directing memorials for both of his parents. His father, Timothy West, died in 2024 at the age of 90 from a subdural haematoma and extra-axial haemorrhage after suffering a fall. His mother, Prunella Scales, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, died a year later in 2025, aged 93, following a prolonged battle with vascular dementia.
An intense year and a half
Her death occurred while he was filming the first series of the show, as Samuel opened up to his co-star Ade Edmondson at the time in emotional scenes. Ahead of the new series, which begins on October 1, the actor was asked if discussions on morality would feature again in new episodes, and he confirmed they would. He called it an "intense year and a half" since the show started, following the death of both his parents and turning 60.
He called it "more than delightful" how loved both his parents were by people who did not know them personally, before explaining that the sheer amount of work they left behind meant a lot, reports the Mirror. Sam said, "I think that's just remarkable," before calling it a "privilege." He also explained that this time around, when making the programme, he was organising both his parents' memorial services, though his brother assisted with their mother's.
A poignant memory
In the first series, one poignant moment saw Sam open up to Ade as he detailed one of the last conversations he had with his mother. He said at the time: "The last proper conversation I had with her was when a couple of years ago she said, 'How old am I?' And I said, 'You are 91 now.' And she said, '91? (expletive). It was beautifully timed, beautifully enunciated.
"I mean, we had a few more conversations after that, but that may be the last one I remember."
The new series
As a fresh batch of episodes air, fans will watch the pair explore Yorkshire's sweeping hills and dramatic coastal cliffs before venturing into the untamed landscapes of West Wales. Throughout their travels, they will spot swifts, swallows, curlews, red kites, ospreys, woodland songbirds, puffins, guillemots and gannets.
Speaking about the show, Sam commented, "My dastardly plan to get Adrian Edmondson addicted to birding seems to be paying off. Ade said he wanted to see more birds, so I thought we should go and find some. I'm not particularly fond of him, but the birds are lovely."
While Adrian Edmondson added, "More birds, more stunning views, more chats, more trips to the pub - it's a hard life, but someone's got to do it." Sam & Ade Go Birding airs Wednesday October 1 on Channel 5 from 7pm.
