Cleese based the series on the Gleneagles Hotel's owner

Show creator John Cleese based the character of Basil Fawlty on Donald Sinclair, a former owner of the Hotel Gleneagles, in Torquay.

In March councillors rejected plans to knock down the three-star hotel to make way for 25 luxury flats.

Gleneagles went on the market this week and has already generated "quite a bit of interest" say the agents.

'Strong link'

Cleese was said to have described Mr Sinclair - who died in 1981 - as "the most wonderfully rude man I have ever met".

The hotel has 41 en suite bedrooms

Peter Addyman, from estate agents Christie and Co, said: "With its strong link to the television series and very high repeat business, we are expecting a good level of interest from prospective buyers."

The hotel has 41 en suite bedrooms, a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and solarium.

Fawlty Towers has proved to be one of the most enduring sitcoms in TV history.