Fawlty Towers set to return as John Cleese writes reboot with daughter trends now

John Cleese is set to return to screens as Basil Fawlty, with a reboot of the star's famous comedy Fawlty Towers in the works.

The second and final series ended more than 40 years ago but Monty Python actor John, 83, is writing new episodes of the former BBC programme with his comedian daughter Camilla Cleese, 39.

Developed by actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner's Castle Rock Entertainment, the new series will look at how cynical and misanthropic snob Basil fares in the modern world, it was announced on Tuesday.

While plot details are mostly being kept under wraps, the story will look at hotel manager Basil's relationship with his daughter, who he has only recently discovered he is father to.

Despite being tortured by 'that annoying section of the general public who insist on staying at hotels' in the previous two series which ran from 1975 to 1979 for 12 episodes, Basil and his daughter decide to reenter the industry and open up a boutique property.

The original series followed the unfortunate exploits of highly-strung Torquay hotelier Basil and his wife Sybil, portrayed by Prunella Scales, as they tried to keep their hotel and marriage afloat.

In 2019, the show was named the greatest British sitcom of all time by a panel of television experts for Radio Times magazine. 

Actor Rob Reiner, his wife and actress Michele Reiner, director and producer Matthew George and Derrick Rossi will act as executive producers on the series.

John said: 'What I like about Matt is that, unlike many producers, he really "gets" the creative process.

'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.

'By dessert we had an overall concept so good that, a few days later, it won the approval of Rob and Michele Reiner.

'Camilla and I look forward enormously to expanding it into a series.'

Producer Matthew said that meeting John and Camilla was one of the 'great thrills' of his life, adding: 'I'm obsessed with Fawlty Towers and the legendary characters he created.

'I've watched the first two seasons so many times I have lost count. I dreamed of one day being involved in a continuation of the story. Now it's come true.'

Rob Reiner said: 'John Cleese is a comedy legend. Just the idea of working with him makes me laugh.'

Former Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, who was best known for his portrayal of put-upon Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic sitcom, died at the age of 86 in 2016 following a secret four-year battle with dementia that left him wheelchair-bound and unable to speak.

He passed away in a care home, with his wife Melody, who cared for him tirelessly, saying at the time: 'My heart has been broken every day for a long time.'