I was sad to read about the death of Prunella Scales today, aged 93. Every tribute and reference I’ve seen has mentioned her turn as Sybil Fawlty in the iconic Fawlty Towers, but I have to go out on a limb and say I vastly prefer her performance in After Henry.

I’m mildly obsessed with this sitcom, written by Simon Brett, which started life as a radio series and made a successful move to television, featuring several of the same cast. Prunella originated the role of Sarah France on the radio, a widow who is dealing with the grief of her recent bereavement, whilst also managing having her mother in the top flat and her daughter in the basement flat - three generations of women effectively in the same house.

The storylines meander through family dramas big and small - from the morals of being a gossip, to using espionage tactics to find out a rival’s wedding outfit, to dating someone older than you, or already married, or about to move abroad! Much of the joy comes from having Sarah rolling her eyes at things her mother says to her but then turning around and saying much the same to her own daughter.

Both the radio and TV show are very similar. I heard the radio show first, when I was a kid, and loved it even then, despite it being the gentlest and not-actually-that-funny comedy. My parents had gotten the audiobook of the series from the library and we listened to it on various car journeys, and I just remember a lovely fond feeling when I hear the opening music.

Then I pretty much forgot about the show because, you know, life, but then stumbled across the self-same audiobook which became a staple and soothing listen. More recently, I found some (all) of the TV episodes on YouTube and set about watching them. I hadn’t seen it before and it was fascinating to see the transition to the little screen - most of the stories are direct from the radio show, but there are definite tweaks here and there. And with the addition of a laugh track, it makes this lovely family drama even more cosy.

And through it all, there’s Prunella, effortlessly portraying the equal parts love and exasperation you feel for your family. What a star, she will be missed.