Claire Nielson, who starred alongside John Cleese in one of the most iconic episodes of Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 89.
Claire played glamorous guest Mrs Hamilton who arrives at the Fawlty Towers hotel with her American husband during the second series of the show.
Her husband, played by Bruce Boa, famously clashes with Basil over a Waldorf salad.
The hilarious scenes were from the second series of the show.The episode sees a furious Fawlty throwing all guests out of his establishment.
The episode explores a perceived gulf in sophistication between America and Britain during the 1970s.
Claire had opened spoken about her agent’s fury after she told them she had accepted the role as they feared playing such the part would ruin her career.
Claire Nielson, who starred alongside John Cleese in one of the most iconic episodes of Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 89
She said: ‘Back then, pretty young women who did light entertainment stopped being offered dramatic parts but I’d always preferred comedy, so I didn’t care.’
