Claire Nielson, who defied her agent in order to appear in a classic episode of Fawlty Towers has sadly passed away at the age of 89 on 29 April.
The star appeared in the classic episode Waldorf Salad, where her character was the spouse of a belligerent American guest. The classic episode, which is fondly remembered nearly four decades later, saw Basil Fawlty try to impress the pair with a Waldorf salad, something that he had never made before.
Despite appearing in the classic episode, Claire later revealed that her agent was "furious" that she had gone for the part. She once explained: "Back then, pretty young women who did light entertainment stopped being offered dramatic parts but I'd always preferred comedy, so I didn't care."
Tributes have been pouring in for the actress, who also had roles in the likes of Scotch and Wry and The Two Ronnies. One said: "Very sad to see Claire Nielson has died, aged 89. Her work with Rikki Fulton in Scotch and Wry will live on – what a legacy she leaves behind."
© BBCA second added: "Sad to hear of the death of Claire Nielson, a mainstay of British television in the 1970s and 80s," while a third penned: "Devastated to hear of the passing of Claire Nielson. So funny as Mrs Hamilton in Fawlty Towers! She was also excellent in The Two Ronnies! – You're Nuts M'Lord!"
Claire's life
Although her agent wasn't fond of her comedic appearances, Claire thrived in the genre, appearing in the likes of The Dick Emery Show, Upstairs Downstairs and The Two Ronnies, playing several female parts in the sketch show.
However, she also appeared in several dramatic roles, appearing opposite Sir Michael Caine in Kidnapped, and appearing in the likes of Monarch of the Glen, Z-Cars, Taggart and Ghost Squad.
Claire set her sights on becoming an actress after watching a performance of Swan Lake. The Times reports the late star, who grew up in Glasgow, as saying: "It introduced me to this other world that was beautiful and glamorous and I remember thinking, 'That's where I belong, not in this sooty city'."
During her life, the late actress was married twice. She was first married to producer Dennis Vance, who worked on the likes of Armchair Theatre and The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Although the pair split in 1966, during their union, they welcomed their daughter, Peggy.
© Alamy Stock PhotoHer second marriage was to the actor Paul Greenwood, best known for his role as PC Michael Penrose in Rosie, with the pair celebrating their nuptials in 1994.
