Tributes have been paid to Prunella Scales who has died aged 93. Her Fawlty Towers co-star John Cleese described her as "a really wonderful comic actress. Scene after scene she was absolutely perfect."

Her sons Samuel and Joseph announced the news, saying that she died peacefully and had been watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died. Their statement also said:  "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."

Scales will be known to countless generations of comedy fans at Basil Fawlty's wife Sybil in the classic comedy. She had been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013.

Her husband, actor Timothy West, died last year. In recent years they appeared together fronting Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys, travelling waterways in the UK and beyond.

In a lengthy career Scales also won plaudits playing the Queen in Alan Bennett's play A Question Of Attribution. She also appeared in numerouf films including The Boys From Brazil, Howards End, Hobson's Choice and Wolf.

Carol Drinkwater wrote: "Dear wonderful Prunella Scales has followed Tim. My profound condolences to Sam West, to all their family and the myriad folk who loved her. Rest in Peace, Pru. @exitthelemming."

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