Prunella Scales' heartbreaking three-word tribute to Timothy West before his death

Timothy West looks back on his first date with Prunella Scales

Legendary actor Timothy West, who graced British television since 1956 has died aged 90.

In a statement, issued by his agent, his children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West 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 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.”

During his life, Tim famously starred in Coronation Street, Eastenders, BBC’s Not Going Out and ITV’s Brass.

Timothy West and Prunella Scales have been married since 1963 (Image: BBC Breakfast )

The late actor was also proudly married to Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales, who he wed in 1963.

The couple has recently celebrated their diamond anniversary in November and opened up about their years together with an emotional appearance on BBC Breakfast.

Prunella who has been living with dementia since 2013, moved viewers to tears as she thanked her late husband for “sticking with me.”

Reflecting on their love story, she shared: “He [Tim] wrote lovely letters. Marvellous letters.”

Timothy has died aged 90, leaving behind wife Prunella (Image: Getty)

Timothy added: "We both loved writing to each other. Sometimes two or three times a day.”

When Prunella was asked by The Times, about her long career, she praised her supportive husband: “I think I'm a very lucky lady.

“I'm married to a very interesting person and I love him very much and I'm interested in him. So it's not a problem.”

“If I had an unhappy marriage and was married to somebody I didn't get on with, I'd be a different person,” she added.