Biography
Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales CBE (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932) was an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (Screen One, BBC 1991) by Alan Bennett (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award); and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.
Acted in 82
2020s
- 2025
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
Movie
2010s
- 2014
Sub Rosa
Madame
- 2013
- 2012
Run For Your Wife
Woman in Pub
- 2011
2000s
- 2007
The Shell Seekers
Dolly Keeling
- 2006
Mr. Loveday's Little Outing
Lady Moping
- 2004
- 2003
The Royal
Red Admiral · 1 episode
- 2002
Dickens
Elizabeth Dickens · 1 episode
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Grace
- 2001
Station Jim
Queen Victoria
- 2000
The Ghost of Greville Lodge
Sarah
1990s
- 1999
Mad Cows
Dr. Minny Stinkler
An Ideal Husband
Lady Markby
- 1998
Stiff Upper Lips
Aunt Agnes
- 1997
Keeping Mum
Marjorie · 1 episode
An Audience with Alf Garnett
Movie
- 1996
Breaking the Code
Sara Turing
Dennis the Menace and Gnasher
Mrs. Duffel · 1 episode
- 1995
The World of Lee Evans
Mother · 1 episode
An Awfully Big Adventure
Rose
Signs and Wonders
Elizabeth Palmore · 4 episodes
- 1994
Fair Game
Marjorie
The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends: The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mr. Jeremy Fisher
Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (voice)
The Rector's Wife
Marjorie Richardson · 3 episodes
- 1992
My Friend Walter
Aunt Ellie
- 1991
A Question of Attribution
H.M.Q.
- 1990
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson
Fleecy Flock
1980s
- 1989
Beyond The Pale
Milly
A Chorus of Disapproval
Hannah Ap Llewellyn
Bosses From Hell
Movie
Communicators From Hell
Movie
- 1988
Natural Causes
Celia Bryce
After Henry
Sarah France · 38 episodes
- 1987
When We Are Married
Annie Parker
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne
Moira O'Neill
What the Butler Saw
Mrs Prentice
- 1986
Unnatural Causes
Judith · 1 episode
- 1985
Mapp & Lucia
Miss Elizabeth Mapp · 10 episodes
Absurd Person Singular
Marion Brewster-Wright
- 1984
Slimming Down
Mrs. Shrigley
- 1983
- 1982
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Mistress Page
Outside Edge
Miriam
- 1981
1970s
- 1978
Doris and Doreen
Doris Rutter
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Glynis
Pickersgill People
Mavis Blackhead · 1 episode
- 1977
The Achurch Letters
Florence Farr
- 1976
The Littlest Horse Thieves
Mrs. Sandman
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
Seven of One
Marion Joyce · 1 episode
- 1972
1960s
- 1965
- 1962
Waltz of the Toreadors
Estella Fitzjohn
- 1961
Marriage Lines
Kate Starling · 43 episodes
1950s
- 1958
- 1954
The Crowded Day
Customer
What Every Woman Wants
Mary
- 1952
Pride and Prejudice
Lydia Bennet · 4 episodes
Appearances9
2010s
- 2014
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Self
Great Canal Journeys
Self · 34 episodes
2000s
- 2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self / Sybil Fawlty
- 2007
What the Pythons Did Next...
Self
- 2005
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Herself
1990s
- 1999
- 1990
Dirty Beasts
Narrator
Revolting Rhymes
Narrator
1970s
- 1978
