Scales was best known for playing hotel manager Sybil Fawlty, the long-suffering and domineering wife of Basil, in the classic British sitcom. The actress died "peacefully at home in London yesterday", her sons Samuel and Joseph said. They added that she was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died. Scales had been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013. "Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93," her sons told the PA News agency.

"Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home." Her husband, fellow actor Timothy West, died in November last year. She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The statement added: "We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love."

Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth remembered her as "a funny, intelligent, interesting, gifted human being". Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, offered: "She was a national treasure whose brilliance as Sybil Fawlty lit up screens and still makes us laugh today." Scales also went on to receive a Bafta nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's 1991 televised play, A Question of Attribution. But she will forever be most closely identified with the domineering and long-suffering comedy creation Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, best defined by one bark of "Basil". (BBC)