Fawlty Towers star John Quarmby has died aged 89.
He was best known for playing Mr Carnegie the health inspector in the classic Basil The Rat episode of the beloved sitcom.
No more details about his death were available
Comedy legend John Cleese, 79, has led tributes to his TV co-star by sharing a sweet message on Twitter today.
He wrote: "Sad to hear of the death of John Quarmby who played the health inspector in Basil the Rat episode
"Lovely chap. I shall never forget the expression on his face when he saw the rat sitting in the biscuit tin."
The hapless Mr Carnegie famously found Manuel's pet rat in a biscuit tin after Basil Fawlty spent the whole episode trying to rid his hotel of pests to pass the inspection.
Although he's best remembered for his role in the BBC show, Quarmby had an acting career that stretched more than 50 years.
He started his career in the RAF and after two years of service, he went off to study at legendary acting school RADA.
After spending two decades on the stage, he moved into TV work in the late 1950s.
Quarmby was a regular face on TV from the 1960s to the 1980s with roles in shows such as Z-Cars and Howards' Way.
He made a guest appearance as a prison officer in Porridge and later called being paid just £50 for a day's work on the show.
However, it was his hilarious turn in Fawlty Towers in 1979 that selaed his place in the nation's hearts.
His other big role was as newspaper boss Henry Tobias in Doctor Who spin-off K-9 and Company.
Quarmby's last major role was in 1985 Hercule Poirot drama Thirteen At Dinner oposite Peter Ustinov as Agatha Christie's famous detective.
