BASIL’S BACK!

It’s time to tuck into a Waldorf salad because Fawlty Towers is holding a grand reopening

The unfortunate exploits of highly strung hotelier Basil Fawlty will grace our screens once more after it was revealed last week that John Cleese is set to return to his famous role for a reboot of the comedy classic Fawlty Towers.

While the second and final season ended more than 40 years ago, 83-yearold John has confirmed he is in fact writing new episodes alongside his comedian daughter Camilla Cleese, 39. The show will see Basil and a daughter he has just discovered is his, team up to run a boutique hotel.

Needless to say, the comedy will be thick and fast as viewers get to see how sardonic snob Basil fares in the modern world – what will he make of influencers, Tiktok, pronouns and iphones?!

HIGH HOPES

The reboot, which will have a lot to prove in an era of less than impressive revivals, is set to be produced by famed actordirector Rob Reiner, and his wife, actress Michele Reiner, director and producer Matthew George and Derrick Rossi.

“What I like about Matt is that, unlike many producers, he really ‘gets’ the creative process,” John gushed of his collaborator. “When we first met, he offered an excellent first idea, and then Matt, my daughter Camilla and I had one of the best creative sessions I can remember.

“Camilla and I look forward enormously to expanding it into a series,” he added of the news.

While new characters will likely join the series, it’s unlikely any other original cast members will be along for the fun.

John’s ex-wife Connie Booth, 82, who co-wrote Fawlty Towers and played general assistant Polly, quit acting in 1995 and worked as a psychotherapist.

Prunella Scales, who starred as Basil’s long-suffering wife Sybil, officially retired in 2020 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, while Andrew Sachs, who starred as the dim-witted waiter Manuel from Barcelona, died in 2016.

Here’s hoping there are no rats, um Siberian hamsters, in the hotel kitchen when Basil reopens what will hopefully be a five-star experience.

The original series was ranked No. 1 on a list of the 100 greatest British TV shows. Sadly Andrew (left) has passed away and Prunella has retired from acting. John and daughter Camilla are writing the show.