Veteran British actress Prunella Scales has been rushed to hospital for an emergency heart operation.

The HOWARD'S END star was taken ill in the middle of the night while alone at home and called the ambulance herself.

Prunella, 71, is now recovering at home in South London after undergoing angioplasty surgery to widen a narrow artery.

She was home alone as actor husband Timothy West was filming in Bristol, south-west England.

A friend says, "It has been a terrifying experience for her.

"She was absolutely petrified when she was taken ill and was all on her own because Tim was away. She's getting better quickly but does seem a bit frailer than before."

19/10/2003 10:46