Ananova:

Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs has told how he will never shake off the role that made him famous that of bungling Spanish waiter Manuel.

"People are always interested in the details of the show and always want to know if there are going to be any more episodes," he said.

"They forget we filmed them nearly 25 years ago as did a man who recognised me in Oxford Street a few months ago and asked for my autograph.

"He was very surprised that it was that long ago and that there were only 12 episodes. He shook his head and put his hand on my arm rather warmly and said: 'Well, how have you managed since then?'

"I thought he was going to give me 50p for a cup of tea!

"Some people have a refreshing innocence about the business. They sometimes think if you aren't on the television all the time, then you aren't working."

His comments came in an interview to publicise his new screen role as technophobe Murray in the new BBC2 drama series attachments, (NOTE TO SUBS: Programme title is officially lower case) set in an Internet start-up company.

Sachs said: "I've been pleased that I've always been cast in both comedic and straight roles.

"My role in a forthcoming series of Silent Witness is that of a holocaust survivor and that is obviously very serious."

But despite the range of characters he has played, Sachs will always be known as the butt of Basil Fawlty's rage.

"I'm certainly not complaining," he said. "Maniel has served me very well over the years."

Indeed, his new two-man show, set to tour Britain soon, includes some reminiscences about filming the sitcom recently voted the Best British sitcom of all time.

"The tour is called Fawlty Years On," he says, half-wincing. "But to help sell tickts, you have to use the Manuel link."

attachments starts on BBC on September 26 at 9pm.