Beatrice Sinclair and husband Donald with daughters Ann and Helen.They were the inspiration behind Sybil and Basil Fawlty
The real life inspiration for Sybil Fawlty has died, aged 95. Fawlty Towers, undoubtedly the greatest Britcom of all time, was the brainchild of actor and Monty Pythonian John Cleese.
Cleese created his hotel themed comedy after staying at the Gleneagles hotel owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair, probably a great guy, made quite the impression of a not so much bumbling owner but a harassed one, one that couldn't be bothered with guests.
His wife, Beatrice, didn't like the way her husband was portrayed in the series and took fault (pun intended) with the whole affair. It's okay Beatrice. Your husband may have been fodder, but he was the fodder for one of TV's greatest characters EVER, Basil Fawlty.
John Cleese and Prunella Scales as Basil and Sybil Fawltyin the classic TV series Fawlty Towers
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