Former Coronation Street Star Dies at 90: Sudden Cause of Death Shocks Entertainment World
Veteran actor Timothy West has passed away at the age of 90, leaving fans and family deeply saddened. While his family confirmed his passing in an emotional statement, saying he died “peacefully in his sleep,” reports from close sources have hinted at an unexpected cause, stirring shock throughout the entertainment community.
Timothy West, known for his iconic roles on stage and television, such as Eric Babbage in Coronation Street and Stan Carter in EastEnders, enjoyed a brilliant career that spanned decades. He portrayed renowned characters in major productions like Macbeth and King Lear and made a lasting impression through his portrayals of Winston Churchill.
The news of his passing was met with surprise, not only because of his age but due to an unforeseen health complication that reportedly led to his death. Though details remain unconfirmed, it is believed a sudden health event occurred, leaving fans and colleagues shocked. In his final days, he received dedicated care from staff at St George’s Hospital and Avery Wandsworth.
Fans and fellow actors took to social media to pay their respects. Figures like Piers Morgan and the Royal Shakespeare Company recalled his commitment and devotion to his craft and his beloved wife, actress Prunella Scales, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.
Timothy West’s legacy endures, and his passion for acting will be remembered by fans and the entertainment world for years to come.
“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.”
A frequent star of the stage, having appeared in numerous productions of Macbeth, King Lear and The Master Builder, West was perhaps best known to television audiences for his roles as Eric Babbage in Coronation Street, which he played in 2013, and for Stan Carter, who he played in EastEnders between 2014 and 2015.
Numerous tributes have been paid to West on social media following the news of his death.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan wrote: “A wonderful actor and delightful man. My Life Stories interview with him, as the love of his life Prunella Scales sat in the audience, was so moving. They were married 61yrs, and his devotion to her after she developed Alzheimer’s was profoundly touching.”
Director and actor Alice Lowe said: “[I] first encountered Timothy West in his support of the Scarborough @NSDFest. He was wonderful. An encouraging, positive, generous presence in what he knew can be a tough unrelenting industry, but he gave young people the self belief to carry on with it. Kindness and faith in joy.”
Former MP Giles Watling said: “I am lucky to have known this amazing actor and thoroughly nice chap. A great loss. Thoughts go to the family.”
The Royal Shakespeare Company added: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Timothy West We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Timothy’s family and friends – in particular to his wife Prunella and children, including Samuel, who is an Associate Artist and will play Malvolio in Twelfth Night.”
During his career, West also played Winston Churchill three times, in Churchill and the Generals (1979), The Last Bastion (1984), and Hiroshima (1995).
In Brass, he played ruthless self-made businessman Bradley Hardacre from 1982 to 1984 before returning for a third series in 1990, while in Not Going Out, he played Geoffrey, the father of Lucy Adams (Sally Bretton).
In 2019, the Bradford-born actor played Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes, a recreation of three missing episodes of the BBC comedy Dad’s Army.
Meanwhile, in the world of film, West starred in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), The Day of the Jackal (1973), Cry Freedom (1987) and Luc Besson’s 1999 historical epic The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.
West’s final acting credit was as Charles Usher in Sister Boniface Mysteries in 2023.
West and Scales, 92, who played Sybil Fawlty in the hit BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, appeared together in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys between 2014 and 2021.
The couple married in 1963, and have two sons, actor Samuel West, and Joseph West.
