Jim Parker: Should Torbay capitalise on Fawlty Towers as well as Dame Agatha?

It is a privilege to be involved in helping try to shape a new future for Torbay’s tourism and hospitality sector. 

The Destination Management Plan will strategically map out that future once everybody has had a chance to contribute, so nothing can be pre-empted.

The overall aim, however, isn’t rocket science. It is to find a way of securing a sustainable year-round future for the English Riviera as the UK’s premier destination and promote and support what is the Bay’s biggest sector, which generates millions of pounds for our economy and provides thousands of jobs.

And all that amid some of the most challenging times the industry has has ever had to deal with!

I am no expert, far from it, but it is no secret that I believe that Now is the Time to take full advantage of what we have staring us right in the face as part of that more resilient future.

Our natural environment and UNESCO rated Geopark is for another day. The importance of the Torquay-born, world’s most famous and best selling author Dame Agatha Christie and a possible link with the Pavilion was mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

Agatha Christie English Riviera Walking Tours with guide Graham Kerr Pic ERBID

Now I am being asked to turn my attention to Fawlty Towers and John Cleese. Don’t laugh — millions have at the Torquay-inspired cult sitcom — but there is a serious belief that we should grab Manuel by the waiter’s coat tail and make the most of our links with the BBC series based on a hotel in Wellswood which has gained notoriety around the world — and now the West End!

We don’t exactly shout loudly about our Fawlty Towers past and links. The former Gleneagles Hotel in  Asheldon Road, on which the comedy was based, is long gone, demolished to make way for a complex of apartments. At least they are aptly named Sachs Lodge, after Andrew Sachs who played misfit Manuel, and there is a Torbay Civic Society blue plaque to mark the spot where madcap hotelier Cleese and wife Sybil once ‘stood’.

But that’s it really — I am led to believe that even Mr Cleese wouldn’t be adverse to a statue of some sort…

Sachs Lodge Blue Plaque unveiling Pic Churchill Retirement Living

One of those leading the new Fawlty Towers charge is Graham Kerr, an official tour guide for the Bay and the face behind the themed English Riviera Walking Festivals for holidaymakers and locals alike.

His story began in 2019 when he sold his business, initially dreaming of a quiet retirement. However, a trip to London with wife, Maria, sparked a new chapter. They joined a walking tour that ignited his love for history, connecting with people and working in the great outdoors.

Back in Torquay, he discovered the town’s only full-time tour guide had retired. He decided to seize the moment and design five unique Torquay-themed walks, including a special Agatha Christie Guided Walking Tour. 

Graham says: “It’s an honour to share her story with visitors who travel from across the globe to fulfil their dreams to immerse themselves in the places that Agatha knew well and which inspired her writing.”

And Fawlty Towers? Graham reveals: “To mark the 50th anniversary of the first Fawlty Towers episode on BBC 2 in 1975, The Fawlty Tours Walking Experience was launched last year. 

“This tour celebrates arguably the greatest British comedy classic, giving guests the chance to re-live some of the funniest moments and discover how a stay at a Torquay hotel inspired comedy gold.”

Graham adds: “I am very fortunate to be a Tour Guide in Torquay – the home of Agatha Christie, the world’s bestselling novelist… and Basil Fawlty, the world’s worst hotelier!

“Fawlty Towers was written by John Cleese and Connie Booth. They only wrote 12 episodes – each one is so well known, yet it feels like there were many more.

“Few television comedies have achieved the near-mythical status of Fawlty Towers. The show has been televised across the world, including Germany.”

Gleneagles Hotel Torquay Pic Wikimedia (Roger Cornfoot, geograph.org.uk)

He revealed a bit of the Fawlty Towers history: “In 1970, John Cleese and the Monty Python Flying Circus team booked into the Gleneagles Hotel.

“The hotel’s owner, Donald Sinclair, was famously abrupt with guests, staff and his wife. During their stay at the hotel there were a number of incidents which displeased the Pythons, so they moved to The Imperial hotel, but John Cleese found Mr Sinclair ‘strangely amusing’ describing him as the ‘most wonderfully rude man I’ve ever met’. 

“He chose to stay at the hotel with Connie and together they studied his antics and mannerisms – Basil Fawlty was created.

“Basil, played by John Cleese, is a man in a perpetual state of personal crisis. His wife Sybil was portrayed with venomous cheer by Prunella Scales.

“Then there’s Manuel, the hapless Spanish waiter played by Andrew Sachs, who has a limited grasp of English, which results in many infamous misunderstandings. Rounding off the main cast is Polly Sherman, played by Connie Booth, the only competent member of staff.”

Graham says the show’s famous scenes are ‘legendary’. 

“Do you remember Basil thrashing his broken-down Austin 1100 with a tree branch after it fails to start?” he asks. “Or the infamous “Germans” episode, in which Basil repeatedly tries not to mention the war?”

He says that today, The Faulty (deliberately misspelled) Towers Dining Experience has become a global phenomenon. Diners are served questionable meals, while actors roam the room, hurling insults, dropping plates, and dragging unsuspecting guests into the mayhem. “It’s really pleasing to see The Redcliffe, The Osborne and The Grand recognise the show’s appeal by hosting The Faulty Dining Experience last year, says Graham. The Esplanade is evidently hosting their Dining Experience on March 4 and 5.

Then you have the West End factor — the Fawlty Towers play has recently ended a hugely successful run in the West End and will be coming to Torquay’s Princess Theatre between April 14 and 18 and to the town where it all began. 

Graham says: “Despite its global success, Fawlty Towers’ profile in Torquay is limited to a blue plaque. Surprisingly, there are no ‘touch-points’ in the town for its worldwide fan base to enjoy when visiting Torquay. There are no pubs or cafes named after the show; no murals of the characters; no ‘Manuel Mews’, or ‘Sybil Street’. Compare this to Barry Island, which has been revitalised by its association with Gavin and Stacey.

“Apparently, John Cleese gave his permission for a statue of Basil to be erected in Torquay, but this opportunity has not (yet) been seized upon.”

It was only a few years ago that it was difficult to know which way to go on  Fawlty Towers. Torbay as a resort was looking to go more ‘up market’ and move away from the comic capers image and reputation of John Cleese and company.

But Carolyn Custerson, chief executive of the English Riviera BID Company, says: “TV and film tourism is massively on the increase across the world with more and more tourists very keen to visit TV and film locations that they can relate too. 

“On the English Riviera we have two of the most iconic media stars with Agatha Christie and John Cleese bringing fame and fortune to the resort. 

“The ERBID Company recognises the power of these two very famous people as part of our Destination Marketing projects to attract new visitors to the resort all year round and are pleased to see a revival in the interest in Fawlty Towers.”

The Princess Theatre is gearing up for a busy time with a spokesman saying: “We are delighted that Fawlty Towers is returning to its fictional home of Torquay and it seems our audiences are too. 

“We are seeing strong advance sales, with some performances looking likely to get near to a sell out, so we are urging anyone who wants to see the show to book early for the best availability. 

“We are also working on plans for the opening night with the producers to celebrate. A lot has changed in 50 years since the show first aired, so we are inviting the people of Torquay to take a trip down memory lane and join us when Fawlty Towers comes home.”

It’s music to the ears of guide Graham, who insists: “Like Agatha Christie, which attracts guests from across the world to Torquay, Fawlty Towers has the potential to achieve similar success.

“Fawlty Towers is a global phenomenon. It still holds affection for millions across the world. It’s been successful for 50 years, and no doubt will enjoy success for another 50 years. So, let’s make Torquay the epicentre of the show’s celebrations – whilst ensuring the Riff Raff are kept out!”

He adds: ““Like Folkestone celebrating Kate Bush on her birthday (officially called: ‘The Most Wuthering Heights Day’ – fans wear red dresses), September 19, 1975, the date of the first televised show, could become an annual date of Fawlty Towers celebrations. 

“For instance, the hugely popular waiters’ race could be re-established - the world record for the most waiters in a waiter’s race is 337; encourage guests to come dressed as the characters and hold a parade through the town; or be photographed thrashing a red Austin 1100! “

Do you know, the very first job I covered as a cub reporter was for the old Torquay Times in 1974 when I had to chase and interview the winner in what was one of the highlights of the summer calendar — the annual hotel waiters and waitresses race along Torquay seafront!

Bring it on…

Footnote: to book a Fawlty Tours walking experience, go to: www.englishrivierawalkingtours.co.uk