EastEnders star Timothy West, who died aged 90 in November of last year, has displayed an incredible final act of generosity in his will which has revealed his final wishes
Timothy West has displayed an incredible act of kindness in his will.
The acclaimed actor – who appeared in TV hits such as EastEnders, Coronation Street and Brass – died in November last year at the age of 90. The veteran star died “peacefully” surrounded by family at a care home he was living in after a fall near his home.
The star, who was married to Fawlty Towers legend Prunella Scales, suffered a fall near his home in August which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Timothy was treated in hospital for around three months before he was discharged to a care home for palliative care.
Timothy’s will has now been revealed, and he’s reportedly donating thousands to various charities after his death. It’s said the actor has left an estate valued at around £110,000, reduced from £221,425 after deductions.
According to The Sun, he gifted £15,000 to the King George V fund for Actors and Actresses, which helps elderly actors who are struggling financially. He also gave £10,000 each for Bristol’s Old Vic theatre and Theatre Royal Trust, Southwark Cathedral, arts charity Snipe Charitable Trust and aid charity Medecins Sans Frontieres UK.
West also put £5,000 aside for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. It’s believed he asked for £20,000 to be given to his sister Patricia, who lives in Sheffield.
West’s wife of over 60 years, Prunella, has reportedly received the remainder of the estate. The will was drawn up in 2020 but MailOnline report an amendment to the will in March 2024 which stated: “I declare jointly with my wife Pru we are giving to our son Sam the sum of £300,000 to aid the renovation of his home.”
Following his death, his children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph paid tribute to their famous dad. In a statement, they said: “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.
“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.”
West was wed to actress Jacqueline Boyer from 1956 until 1961 – they welcomed daughter Juliet. In 1963, he married actress Prunella, who played Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers.
The pair welcomed two sons, actor Samuel West and Joseph, who both appeared in two episodes of Great Canal Journeys. Prunella was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014.
After the sad passing of Timothy, his son Samuel revealed that Prunella was “not well enough” to grasp the fact that her husband had passed away. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he shared: “All I am going to say is she’s not really well enough to take it all in.”
