⁠How did Timothy West die? The late actor's cause of death revealed months after his passing

Timothy West, a 90-year-old veteran British actor, died in November 2024. An inquest was held months after his death to formally confirm the reason. A spectacular life in British entertainment came to an end when the famous stage and film star passed away after suffering a severe brain injury in a fall.

Best recognized for his strong performances in EastEnders, Coronation Street, and the ITV drama Brass, Timothy West passed away "peacefully in his sleep" at Wandsworth Common Care Home on November 12, 2024, only a few days after being released from a hospital where he had been admitted for over three months.

West suffered a severe brain injury on August 11, 2024, after an unwitnessed fall close to his home, according to the Westminister Coroner's Court. He was found unconscious on a walkway by onlookers, and he was taken to St. George's Hospital in Toothin, where he was treated until Novmeber 5, at which point he was transferred to a palliative care facility.

According to the results of the May 22, 2025, inquest, Timothy West passed away from a number of health issues brought on by the fall. The following was indicated as the medical causes of death:

1. Subdural haematoma
2. Extra-axial bleeding
3. Traumatic brain injury

With the following contributing conditions:

1. Non-convulsive status epilepticus
2. Aspiration pneumonia
3. Hypertension

According to the Mirror, Ellie Oakley, an assistant coroner, said:

"Timothy West had an unwitnessed fall near his home on 11 August 2024 which resulted in a significant traumatic brain injury."

Oakley added:

"It is not possible to determine how the fall happened and there is no evidence of others being involved. He was treated in hospital for around three months before being discharged to a care home on 5 November 2024 for palliative care."

She concluded:

"Unfortunately he was not well enough to be discharged to his home despite receiving appropriate care in the care home. He died on 12 November 2024."

Before his death,Timothy West had been living at Wandsworth Common Care Home. The home's general manager, Thomas Holden revealed at Thursday's inquiry:

"On 12 November his family were with him all day. They continued to stay with him in his room during the evening and he passed away peacefully with his family around him at 19:20."

Timothy's children Juliet, Samuel, and Joseph West shared a poigant tribute for their father through 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. 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."

It continued:

"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."

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A look at Timothy West's personal life

Timothy West was married to Prunella Scales, an actress for 61 years. She is best known for her roles as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers. The pair had a long standing relationship in both their personal and professional life, and they had two kids. From 2014 until 2021, they costarred in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys.

West has also talked candidly about his role as Prunella's caretaker in recent years. Prunella was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014. In 2023, he stated in an interview with BBC Breakfast:

“It’s not going to get any easier, but we cope with it and we manage.”

Samuel West, West's son told The Sunday Times after his father's death that Scales was "not well enough to fully grasp" her husband's death:

"All I am going to say is she's not really well enough to take it all in."

Timothy West was born in Bradford on October 20, 1934, and had a successful six decade career on stage and screen. He was revered for his stage plays- Shakespearean roles, including King Lear in both 2002 and 2016. He also had notable roles in television, for parts in Brass (Bradley Hardacre), Not Going Out (Geoffrey), Coronation Street (Eric Babbage), and EastEnders (Stan Carter).

He also appeared in movies like Hitler:The Last Ten Days (1973), Ever After (1998), and The Day of the Jackal (1973).

For his contributions to theater, he was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1984.

Before making it as an accomplished actor, Timothy West worked as an office furniture salesman and recording technician. He started his career as an assistant manager in 1956 at the Wimbledon Theatre.

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Timothy West leaves behind a lasting legacy. He is survived by his wife, Prunella Scales, his children Joseph, Samuel, and Juliet, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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