John Cleese: 'Comedy's golden age is over'

John Cleese has claimed that the golden age of British TV comedy has passed.

The 69-year-old was reunited with the cast of Fawlty Towers - Connie Booth, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs - to unveil two documentaries about the making of the classic 70s sitcom.

Asked what he thought of modern British comedy, the former Monty Python star said: "I don't think the writers work as hard as they used to, and I think they may lack experience because I don't think the writing is as good as it used to be."

He continued: "But I do proudly say that in the 60s, 70s and 80s we did have the least bad television in the world, and that's quite a claim. I think the main problem now is it's run on the basis of money."

Andrew Sachs - who has begun filming a new role in Coronation Street - spoke fondly of his memories of Fawlty Towers.

Sachs, who played hapless Spanish waiter Manuel, said some politically incorrect modern material may prompt complaints from viewers. But, he said: "I hope we can always get away with good comedy."

Asked if he was happy with the way the BBC dealt with the lewd phonecalls scandal, he said: "Not entirely but I'm past all that, it's what they did. It's their decision, I would have done it differently."

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