British theater and screen actor Timothy West has died aged 90.
His children, Juliet, Samuel and Joseph, released a statement that said he said died “peacefully yesterday evening” surrounded by friends and family.
West was one of the UK’s most beloved actors, known on-screen for roles in soaps EastEnders and Coronation Street, comedy-drama Brass and for Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys, a touching series in which he traveled around the country on a boat with his wife, Fawlty Towers actress Prunella Scales. He also had many theater roles in productions such as Macbeth and King Lear.
“After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully I his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old,” his children wrote in their note.
“Tim was with his 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 muss 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.”
Several industry figures responded to Sam West’s post, with Back writer Simon Blackwell writing, “What a talent and what a man. Love and condolences to you and your family,” and screenwriter Sarah Phelps, who was a writer on BBC soap EastEnders, writing: “Oh Sam, your beautiful Dad. What joy he gave us all. So much love to you, your dear mum and all your family. Vale, Tim. Go well across the shining river.”
BBC Radio 4 presenter David Aaronovitch wrote: “May his memory be a blessing. He was certainly a blessing in real life,” and former EastEnders actor Tracy-Ann Oberman wrote, “I’m so so sorry for your lose [sic] Sam. Much love to all the family. He was the most wonderful man.”