Prunella Scales’ heartbroken husband Timothy West opens up about devastating effect dementia has had on her

ACTOR Timothy West has told how he misses the “companionship” of his dementia-stricken wife Prunella Scales.

The 88-year-old said he regrets not being able to discuss seeing a play or concert together as she will not remember it.

And he spends “a lot of time” reassuring Prunella, 91, when she is confused.

Timothy and Prunella — Sybil in classic sitcom Fawlty Towers — have been married for more than half a century.

Her Alzheimer’s diagnosis was revealed in 2014, before the pair starred in Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys for six years.

Timothy said: “I miss Pru’s companionship as my best friend.

“She doesn’t have much awareness of time so when she joins me, her face lights up as if we’ve been apart for days.

“The look on her face makes me realise how much I love her.”

He added: “She seems to manage incredibly well with things, as I try to, but surely she must sometimes wonder whether she is going to be allowed to end her days in this house that has been so dear to us.

“Not recognising me hasn’t been a problem but it will come, I’m sure.”