Gyles Brandreth and James Dreyfus lead heartfelt celeb tributes to ‘marvellous’ actor Timothy West after legendary star died ‘peacefully’ aged 90

Gyles Brandreth and James Dreyfus led the heartfelt celebrity tributes to ‘marvelous actor’ Timothy West after it was announced he died ‘peacefully’ aged 90.

Emotional messages have poured in on social media following the sad news the EastEnders star passed away. 

Timothy, who was married to fellow actor Prunella Scales for 61 years, ‘was surrounded by friends and family till the end’, his agent said in a statement on Wednesday.

James wrote on X: ‘Marvellous actor. A constant in many of our lives. He shall be much missed. My thoughts with his family. RIP Timothy West.’

Alongside a sweet picture of Timothy on Instagram, Gyles Brandreth, 76, said: ‘Cheers, Tim! And thank you. A marvellous man – a marvellous actor, husband, father, friend. 

‘On stage, on screen, on a canal boat, on the end of a pier (he loved a seaside pier!), in the garden with a glass of wine, he was just the best. The great Timothy West has died at 90: what a worthwhile, well-filled life.’

Piers Morgan shared tribute to the ‘wonderful’ man, alongside a photo with Timothy from when he appeared on My Life Stories.

He 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.’

His children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West said in a statement issued by his agent: ‘After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old.

Timothy, who was married to fellow actor Prunella Scales for 61 years, ‘was surrounded by friends and family till the end’, his agent said in a statement

Emotional messages have poured in on social media following the sad news the EastEnders star passed away

‘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 greatgrandchildren. 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.’ 

Mr West enjoyed a prestigious career on the stage as well as, more recently, starring in EastEnders and Coronation Street. 

Timothy West pictured with Queen Camilla in May 2024

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.