Cleese backs Fawlty statue

Councillors want to erect a life-size bronze of the hideous hotelier by the resort's harbour – and approached 67-year-old Cleese for his blessing.

'I think this sounds like a splendid idea,' he said. 'Can I assume it will be a conventional, realistic kind of statue, and not a tribute to Henry Moore?

'If so, let's get someone to sculpt it in a non-controversial style.'

Torbay councillor Andy Westwood said the statue could boost tourism, despite the image Fawlty Towers projects of the town's hotels.

'The programme is shown somewhere in the world every hour. It's about time we took advantage,' he said.

The idea was floated after the reopening of Torquay's Hotel Gleneagles - whose 'incredibly rude' former owner inspired Cleese to create the series.

His long-time agent Garry Scott-Irvine told the local Herald Expres newspaper: 'John says he thinks the idea of erecting a statue of Basil Fawlty on the new harbour is the best idea that any human-being has had since the big bang.'

Campaigners now need to raise the money for the statue.

And local mayor Nick Bye said he'd like to go one step further, saying: 'I think it would be nice to have some kind of tribute to all the characters, including Manuel and Polly.'

Published: 20 Jan 2007