Timothy West's last on-screen role airs just hours after actor's tragic death

Timothy West, who starred in television shows such soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders, died peacefully in his sleep aged 90, his devastated family said on Wednesday

Timothy West's last on-screen appearance came just hours after the acting legend died.

The TV veteran, known for a long career during which he was in Coronation Street, EastEnders, Dad's Army, Brass and other programmes, died in his sleep aged 90 on Wednesday. He was married to fellow actress Prunella Scales, famed for her role as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, for more than 60 years.

In a poignant coincidence, Timothy's last TV appearance also aired on Wednesday - a guest role in soap Doctors in what was its penultimate episode before it finishes today after more than two decades. Timothy played a well-meaning neighbour, played by Trudie Goodwin, in the episode and tried to help his friend, who hurt her back in her garden. It is understood it was filmed in March days before the BBC soap recorded its final ever scenes, which will be broadcast today.

Writing on its social media page, the Doctors production team said: "The Doctors family are deeply saddened to hear of Timothy West’s passing. His final on-screen appearance in 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."

Fellow acting veteran Trudie, 73, portrayed a pensioner who was less mobile than she used to be in Wednesday's episode of the soap. She found great support in Timothy's character. Doctors became the third soap Timothy appeared in, following a regular stint in Eastenders as Stan Carter and a brief role in Corrie.

In a statement on Wednesday, 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."

Timothy and Prunella, 92, 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.