View 7 Images
Where are the Fawlty Towers cast now(Image: Press Association)
Fawlty Towers is a household name when it comes to iconic British TV shows. The famous comedy aired for just two series in 1975 and 1979 but continues to be a staple in houses up and down the country.
The sitcom followed the chaotic work of Torquay hotelier Basil Fawlty and his wife Sybil as they tried to keep their hotel and marriage afloat. The 12 episodes were co-written by John Cleese and Connie Booth.
It has been decades since the show first hit our screens but several of the original cast members went on to have very successful careers after. Here’s a look at what the iconic characters got up to once Fawlty Towers came to an end.
View 7 Images
Prunella Scales died at the age of 93(Image: BBC)
Prunella Scales – Sybil Fawlty
Prunella Scales went on to star in a number of successful films when the series ended. She starred in Howard’s End and The Boys from Brazil.
She also went on to bag parts in Escape from the Dark, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Hound of the Baskervilles. The actress was nominated for a Bafta for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution by Alan Bennett.
Scales was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014. and as it got worse she decided to retire from TV. It was announced on Tuesday 28 October, 2025 that Prunella had died at the age of 93.
Her family released a statement which said: “Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93. Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home. She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died.
“Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024. She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
“We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.”
View 7 Images
John Cleese played the hotel owner(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)
John Cleese – Basil Fawlty
John Cleese played hotel owner Basil Fawlty who was known for his rants, being rude to guests and wanting to climb the social ladder. The role saw Cleese win the Best Entertainment Performance BAFTA in 1980.
John was married to co-star and co-writer Connie Booth who played Polly, but the couple split before the second series aired. The actor and comedian went on to have two more marriages before marrying wife Jennifer.
When the series finished John made more Monty Python films and starred in Bond films as Q’s assistant and Q, as well as A Fish Called Wanda and Clockwise. Other projects included the Harry Potter franchise, Shrek, Will and Grace and BBC sitcom Hold The Sunset.
In 2016, he revived Basil for a Specsavers advert and has also spokenn out in defence of Fawlty Towers when its controversial language has come into question.
View 7 Images
Manuel was the hotel waiter(Image: Press Association)
Andrew Sachs – Manuel
Andrew Sachs played Spanish waiter Manuel while he was on Fawlty Towers. The actor went on to be the hotel manager in Are You being Served? and appeared soaps EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Alongside voice over and radio work, Sachs also appeared in Doctor Who: Shada and That Peter Kay Thing. Back in 2008, Sachs was the victim of a prank call, were Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left inappropriate messages about Brand having sex with his granddaughter Georgina Baillie.
This sparked a huge scandal and led to an apology from the BBC, Brand resigning and Ross being suspended. The father-of-three was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2012 and sadly died four years later
View 7 Images
Brian played the chef(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)
Brian Hall – Terry Hughes
Brian Hall just appeared in the second series of Fawlty Towers but is known for playing cockney chef Terry Hughes. After leaving Fawlty Towers, Hall went on to star in Break in the, Sun, Sweeney 2 and McVicar.
The actor died in September 1997 at the age of 59, after a three-year long battle with cancer. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he told The Mirror: “Cancer is a bully and I hate bullies. This old boy cancer will get about as much change out of me as all the other bullies I’ve met – nothing.”
Ballard Berkeley – Major Gowen
Major Gowen was a a permanent resident at the hotel and played by actor Ballard Berkeley. Major Gowen was known for his controversial views and many of the character’s offensive lines have been edited out in repeats.
Berkeley starred in well-known TV shows such as Hi-de-Hi! and To The Manor Born. He also had a small role in Are You Being Served?
His last role was a voiceover in the animated film The BFG. The actor sadly didn’t get to see the completed project hit screens as he died in 1988.
View 7 Images
Connie was previously married to John Cleese(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)
View 7 Images
Bernard died in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
Connie Booth – Polly Sherman
Connie Booth co-wrote and co-starred in Fawlty Towers with her then-husband Cleese. She played the role of waitress and maid Polly Sherman.
She and Cleese has a daughter named Cynthia and remained on good terms while they filmed the show. The actress went on to appear in show such as The Tomorrow People and The Buccaneers, as well as TV film The Return of Sherlock Holmes. In 1995, Booth quit acting and went on to study to become a psychotherapist.
Bernard Cribbins – Mr Hutchinson
Bernard Cribbins OBE appeared in the show as spoons salesman Mr Hutchinson, however, Basil soon became convinced he was a hotel inspector.
The actor’s career spanned more than 70 years and he bagged several big roles including starring in three Carry On films and appearing alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Doctor Who.
He married wife Gillian in 1955 and in July 2022, it was announced that the veteran actor had died at the age of 93.
