Fawlty Towers at 50 - irreverent, clever, and just as funny as ever

It is 50 years since Fawlty Towers first appeared on our screens, with the farcical comedy series still enjoying a large and devoted fanbase.

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It is 50 years since Fawlty Towers first appeared on our screens, with the farcical comedy series still enjoying a large and devoted fanbase.

Audiences were introduced to John Cleese as rude hotel owner Basil Fawlty for the very first time on September 19 1975.

Also starring Prunella Scales as Fawlty's wife Sybil, the late Andrew Sachs as hapless Spanish waiter Manuel, and Cleese's then-wife Connie Booth as chambermaid Polly, the first series of six episodes was broadcast on BBC Two.