Prunella’s still partying at 90, even with Alzheimer’s
Fawlty star’s celeb bash and islands jaunt
PRUNELLA Scales is living life to the fullest while battling dementia, having a lavish 90th birthday bash and going Greek island-hopping.
That is the view of her husband Timothy West. And the couple have plenty to celebrate as on top of Prunella’s landmark – for which they had 150 guests at the shindig – next year marks their 60th wedding anniversary.
Prunella, who starred as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, which devastatingly put an end to her 67-year acting career.
But her devoted husband Timothy says her spirit has not waned.
And nor has her love of all things nautical, which the couple previously tapped into for Channel 4’s Grand Canal Journeys.
“She enjoys life, which is essential really,” he says. “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.”
Speaking about their celebrity filled bash this summer, Timothy, 88, continues: “We had a party. 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.” Speaking during a rare appearance for the couple at the Oldie of the Year Awards, at the National Liberal Club in London, Timothy spoke of continuing working into his late 80s, and has recently been collaborating on a new film project with his son Sam, 56. “I’ve been doing a strange film which we made in Amsterdam,” he says. “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 is on stage doing the dialogue.” The role has plenty of depth, which Timothy notes can be lacking in older characters on screen. “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.”