Andreas Siegfried "Andrew" Sachs dead at 86 - best known for his role as clumsy Spanish waiter Manuel in hit TV sitcom Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs has died at the age of 86 following a secret four-year battle with dementia that left him wheelchair-bound and unable to speak.

The much-loved actor, best known for his portrayal of put-upon Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic 1970s sitcom, passed away in a care home last week and was buried on Thursday.

His wife Melody, who cared for him tirelessly, said: ‘My heart has been broken every day for a long time.’

She also revealed that she collapsed while caring for him. After developing acute stress, she was taken into intensive care but ‘got over it real quick’ and bounced back so that she could carry on looking after him.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3991838/Fawlty-Towers-star-Andrew-Sachs-dies-86-Widow-pays-emotional-farewell-reveals-secret-four-year-battle-dementia-died-caring-him.html#ixzz4Rd5TfhQT