Legendary Bristol actor Timothy West dies peacefully in sleep aged 90

Legendary actor Timothy West has died peacefully aged 90. He passed away in his sleep "“with his friends and family at the end”, his family said.

His family settled in Bristol during World War Two when his father joined the war reserve police. West attended Bristol Grammar School and regularly attended performances at the Little Theatre in the city.

He went on to star in television shows such as comedy drama Brass, sitcom Not Going Out and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders. West, who was born in Bradford, was married to fellow actress Prunella Scales for more than 60 years.

In a statement, his children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph said: “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.

"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 greatgrandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.”

West and Scales, 92, who played Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, appeared in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys between 2014 and 2021, which saw them travelling on narrowboats together. The couple married in 1963, and have two sons, actor Samuel West, and Joseph West.

West was previously married to actor Jacqueline Boyer from 1956 to 1961. They had a daughter together called Juliet West.

In Coronation Street, he appeared in seven episodes in 2013 as Eric Babbage. Meanwhile, he played Stan Carter in EastEnders from 2014 to 2015.

During his career West also played former British prime minister Winston Churchill three times, in From Churchill and the Generals (1979), The Last Bastion (1984), and Hiroshima (1995). In 2019, the Bradford-born actor played Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes, a recreation of three missing episodes of the BBC comedy Dad’s Army.

On stage, he was a regular performer of Shakespeare, playing Lear in 2016 and 2002. He performed at the Piccadilly Theatre, with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and the West End, portraying many classic roles, including Shylock, Falstaff, and Macbeth.

West had a long association with the Bristol Old Vic. In a statement, a spokesperson for the theatre said: "We are heartbroken to hear that our friend Tim West has passed away and send all our love and thoughts to his devoted family.

"He was a towering presence at Bristol Old Vic, first working with the company in Autumn 1967, later starring in the opening production after the theatre’s 1972 refurbishment. He went on to lead the company throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s - not only on stage starring in acclaimed productions of The Master Builder, Uncle Vanya and Long Day’s Journey into Night - but also as an associate director and member of the Board of Trustees.

"He later starred in King Lear for Bristol Old Vic’s 250^th anniversary production and opened the newly refurbished building in 2018 with his beloved wife Prunella Scales.

"We loved him and will always remember the way he championed this place through his work, his vision and his unending generosity. Sleep well Tim. We will miss you."

West was appointed CB for his services to drama in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1984.