Prunella Scales and Timothy West have opened the doors to their family home in Wandsworth, south London, where they have lived for more than 50 years. The house, overlooking Wandsworth Common, is filled with mementos from their illustrious careers, including framed Radio Times covers and awards for audiobook narration. A guide to Britain's canal networks hints at their shared passion for narrowboat journeys.
The couple, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, have been a fixture in British acting for decades. Scales is best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in the classic comedy series 'Fawlty Towers', while West is regarded as one of the great stage actors of his generation, having played King Lear four times across four decades. Together, they found unexpected fame in later life with the Channel 4 series 'Great Canal Journeys'.
West has written a book, 'Pru & Me: A Love Story', reflecting on their marriage and the challenges they have faced. The book does not shy away from discussing Scales' vascular dementia, which she has had for more than 20 years. West first noticed something was wrong in 2001, but a formal diagnosis did not come until 2014. Despite the condition, the couple have continued to work and travel together.
In an interview, West said: 'Somehow we have coped with it and Pru doesn't really think about it.' Scales, when asked about her dementia, replied: 'Well I think elderly people get it anyway don't they?' West added: 'We manage.' The couple's positive attitude and enduring love have been an inspiration to many.
