20 Best British TV Comedy Characters Of All Time

Hard to believe Fawlty Towers spanned out for only twelve episodes, but it’s a testament to how rammed the series was with classic British absurdity that it's so beloved today. The show is set around the fictional hotel of Fawlty Towers in the “English Riviera” seaside town of Torquay, in which the business is met with odd and eccentric visitors. The building is prone to mishaps and accidents because of how poorly it's run, which allows for plenty of brilliant situational comedy.

But it's the always funny John Cleese who steals the show as the clumsy, pompous manager Basil Fawlty. Letting his disastrous marriage and untrained staff get in the way of business, Basil yearns to be of a higher social class and treats his upper-class guests, such as doctors, with unusually exempt care. But his short temper and snobbery is often his downfall as he also reluctantly serves customers who he despises with abuse and malice.

Some stand out moments include when Basil meets his match with a very rude (and deaf) woman who can't stop complaining about the hotel. And who can forget when Mr Fawlty attempts to beat up his car?

John Cleese’s comical timing is perfect – from the delivery of his dialogue to the performance of the slapstick scenes. Basil Fawlty is camp, over-exaggerated and hilarious.