Dementia can’t stop Pru loving life, says Timothy
TIMOTHY West has told how wife Prunella Scales is living life to the full while battling dementia, including islandhopping in Greece.
Prunella celebrated turning 90 earlier this year with a large bash while next year is their 60th wedding anniversary.
In 2014 the actress who starred as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, putting an end to her 67-year acting career.
But husband Timothy says her spirit has not waned.
He said: “She enjoys life, which is essential really. She likes doing things.
“We’ve just been on a little boat trip around the Greek islands – it was just us enjoying ourselves with no cameras.”
The couple, who have two sons, have previously filmed their stunning river boat cruises for Channel 4’s Grand Canal Journeys, but Prunella, who turned 90 in June, had to quit filming in 2020 when she became ill.
They had a celebrity filled birthday do in the summer, which Timothy, 88, said was “quite a big party. About 150 people came. I’ve been looking at a book of photographs that were put together by my son.
“I’m ashamed to say I don’t know who they are – I’m sure they’re terribly famous and wonderful.”
The couple were making a rare public outing at the Oldie of the Year Awards at London’s National Liberal Club.
Timothy spoke of working into his late 80s, including a new film project with son Sam.
He said: “I’ve been doing a strange film which we made in Amsterdam. I’ve just been over to see that. It’s about ageing, trying to cope with things.
“I’m doing it on film and Sam my elder son is on stage doing the dialogue.”
The role has depth, which Timothy said can be lacking in older characters in film and TV.
“I think there is a feeling that once you get to a certain age you’re given a slot,” he explains. “This is what we expect and this is what we know is going to happen. It’s not true of course.
“We know some wonderful people who are much older than we are.”
‘We’ve been sailing around Greece – just us’