Timothy West dies aged 90

Wednesday 13th November 2024, 3:00pm

• Timothy West has died peacefully in his sleep, aged 90
• His CV includes comedy productions including Brass, Not Going Out and Last Tango In Halifax
• The BBC notes: "Timothy West was an icon of British drama"

---

Timothy West, best known for his drama and stage work but who has appeared in many important comedy productions, has died aged 90.

His early comedy roles included a part in a 1964 episode of the sitcom Marriage Lines, in which his second wife, Prunella Scales, starred, and 1981 radio show Operation Lightning Pegasus.

His first notable comedy credit was Brass, an acclaimed pastiche of television drama serials, which launched in 1983 saw him play Bradley Hardacre across three series.

Sitcom roles on his CV include portraying Andrew Oldfield in Bedtime, Tufty McDuff in Goodnight Sweetheart, Gordon Shappey in Cabin Pressure and Ormond Sacker in Toast Of London.

He excelled at playing stern authority characters, with notable roles in this vein including Lucy's father Geoffrey in the second and third series of Not Going Out, and as the head of the household in the critically acclaimed first ever Inside No. 9 episode, Sardines. He was also the voice of God in Radio 4 sitcom Old Harry's Game.

In 2019 he appeared as Private Godfrey in Dad's Army - The Lost Episodes, and in 2020 took on the role of Ted in the comedy drama Last Tango In Halifax.

The actor is survived by his wife, Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales. Married for six decades, the couple appeared in ten series of Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4 together.

A statement released by 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 parried for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.

"We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George's Hospital, Tooting and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days."

West was born in 1934 in Bradford, the son of actors Lockwood West and Olive Carleton-Crowe. He began his entertainment career as an assistant stage manager at the Wimbledon Theatre.

By coincidence, he appeared in today's episode of Doctors on BBC One, playing a character called Artie Simkins.

The drama's production team comment: "Today's Doctors episode is a moving reminder of his incredible talent, and it was an honour to have him join us. We send heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."

Lindsay Salt from the BBC says: "Timothy West was an icon of British drama and at the BBC we feel incredibly privileged that he was on our screens across the decades. Loved by millions for his work in programmes ranging from Bleak House, to EastEnders, Richard II, Last Tango In Halifax, Edward II and Gentleman Jack, his remarkable talent will be remembered for generations to come."

Giving some background to his kindly character, his biographer James Hogg wrote on social media: "In Timothy West we have lost not only a brilliant actor but a gorgeous human being. To have been involved in his final major project (his book, Pru & Me) was obviously a privilege, but to have been his friend was something very special indeed.

"We spent a year working together, a wonderful year, and Tim's two primary concerns throughout were whether or not I was happy with what we were producing and whether I was comfortable in my room at his and Pru's home, which I always was. Every evening after supper I'd go onto YouTube, find a TV play or episode of something that either Tim or Pru had appeared in but had never seen televised, wire my laptop up to their TV and then watch them watch it. What a thrill that was!

"Then, once that was over, I'd ask Tim if we could watch an episode of Brass, which is my favourite Tim show. He'd protest sometimes only for a second, before saying, usually, 'Why not. It isn't bad, is it. I'll tell you what, shall have another glass?' We usually did. Then, in the morning, he'd spend ten minutes interrogating me about how comfortable I was in my room and then we'd start work in his study.

"My only regret is that we didn't sign up for a trilogy, but even when we'd finished the book I continued visiting at least once a month. Back to my room on the top floor and back to my friend, Tim. I really will miss him x"