John Cleese Could Sue Fawlty Towers 'Rip-Off'

John Cleese is threatening legal action against a production company over what he claims is a "rip-off" of his comedy sitcom Fawlty Towers.

The television star said he was unaware of the "astonishing financial success" of the Faulty Towers Dining Experience from Imagination Workshop.

The interactive show - which started in Brisbane in 1997 but has travelled to London - has entertained thousands of people with the antics of characters Basil, Sybil and Manuel.

In a series of Twitter posts, Cleese, 76, said the production had been using the show's concept, characters and dialogue "without the need to pay (co-writer) Connie Booth and me a single cent".

Cleese said: "Seems they thought that by not asking, and by changing the 'w' to a 'u', they'd be in the clear! Hilarious.

"I'm always learning. I had never realised that 'tribute' is a synonym for 'rip-off'."

After one Twitter user branded the situation "f****** shocking", Cleese replied: "That's the phrasing I'm hoping to use in court."

Imagination Workshop said it was "staggered" by Cleese's "vitriol" and claimed the actor had known about the show for years.

In a statement posted online, the company said: "We are not an unauthorised rip-off show - anyone who knows the law in this area will understand that we do not require authorisation to use the concept of Fawlty Towers.

"We are not the bad guys he is painting us to be. It is a shame he has chosen to air his frustrations so publicly rather than contacting us directly about this matter."

The stage version of Cleese's show, called Fawlty Towers Live, will have its world premiere in Sydney in August.