John Cleese angers Torbay’s hotel owners by backing Basil Fawlty social distancing campaign

JOHN Cleese has got hoteliers thrashing their cars in frustration by backing a 2 metres = 1 Basil Fawlty campaign.

The star, 80, waded into a row in Torquay, setting for his 1970s sitcom.

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John Cleese has got hoteliers thrashing their cars in frustration by backing a 2 metres = 1 Basil Fawlty campaign[/caption]

He backed Torbay council’s use of the slogan to promote social distancing.

Cleese, who stands 1.96m, tweeted: “Going forward if I see you too close to one another I shall lay down in-between. Social distance! 2 metres = 1 Basil Fawlty.”

The council campaign has angered hoteliers in the Devon resort, which has been battling to shake off its connection to the hot-headed hotel owner.

They said it under-minded their efforts to promote Torquay as an upmarket destination.

But the council thanked Cleese, saying: “The guidance was a little confusing. So we tried to think of a simple way to explain it. And finally, we think we’ve got it right, thanks to you!”

PA:Press Association

Cleese, 80, who stands 1.96m, tweeted: ‘Going forward if I see you too close to one another I shall lay down in-between. Social distance! 2 metres = 1 Basil Fawlty’[/caption]

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Torbay hoteliers said the advert under-minded their efforts to promote Torquay as an upmarket destination[/caption]

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