Timothy West, the esteemed actor known for his roles in EastEnders and Coronation Street, passed away “peacefully with his family around him” at a care home where he was receiving palliative care following a three-month hospital stay due to a fall, an inquest has heard.
The beloved actor died at the age of 90 on November 12 last year. His heartbroken children, Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West, shared in a statement that he had died “peacefully in his sleep”.
An inquest was subsequently initiated to ascertain the cause of Timothy’s death after he was discovered by a nurse at the care home. He had been residing at Wandsworth Common Care Home – Avery Collection, where he was found by a member of the nursing staff.
Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin opened an inquest into his death at Westminster Coroner’s Court shortly after Timothy’s passing. She stated: “The deceased was identified as Timothy West, a British citizen, aged 90 years, born on October 20, 1934, in Bradford. He was an actor, husband of Prunella West.”
Today, Assistant Coroner Ellie Oakley revealed: “Timothy West had an unwitnessed fall near his home on 11 August 2024, which resulted in a significant traumatic brain injury.”
“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.
“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.”
Timothy West, who had been residing at Wandsworth Common Care Home, passed away surrounded by his loved ones. Thomas Holden, the home’s general manager, shared in a statement during Thursday’s inquest: “On 12 November his family were with him all day.”
He added, “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.”
The inquest into Timothy’s death was initially postponed in November and rescheduled for February of this year.
Following his passing, Timothy’s agent released a statement on behalf of his children: “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.”
The statement also expressed the family’s deep loss: “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. 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.”
EastEnders, where Timothy had made his mark as Stan Carter, paid tribute to the late actor: “We are extremely saddened to hear that Timothy West has passed away. Timothy joined EastEnders as Stan and his presence as the patriarch of the Carter family was immediately felt.
“He will forever be in our hearts. We send all our love and thoughts to Timothy’s family and friends.”
Following the passing of Timothy, his son Samuel revealed to The Sunday Times that Prunella was “not well enough” to fully grasp the sad news of her husband’s death. He said: “All I am going to say is she’s not really well enough to take it all in.”
In the year leading up to his death, Timothy shared a glimpse into his personal life, discussing his role as a carer for his wife Prunella, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.
Timothy had first noticed something was amiss in 2001 after attending one of her theatre performances, reports the Mirror.
Despite the play proceeding smoothly, he recalled that Prunella seemed “a bit strange” and “not totally with it.”
In an intimate conversation on BBC Breakfast in 2023, he acknowledged the reality of the situation: “It isn’t going to get better.”
Reflecting on their time together, Prunella, now aged 92, commented: “No, he is the person I love and I enjoy being with…” Timothy then added: “That is about it I think!”
He also recounted the moment he realised her condition was deteriorating: “I came to see a play that Pru was doing in Greenwich.
“I went to see the first night and it was good, much enjoyed by the audience and then I went to see it again and I thought ‘She’s not totally with it’. We went to see a specialist and he said I am sorry this is just something that happens to you when you get older. It is not going to get any easier, but we cope with it and we manage.”
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