The actress who starred alongside John Cleese in one of Fawlty Towers most memorable episodes 'Waldorf Salad' has tragically passed away.
During the fan favourite episode, Nielson plays a guest who check in to the Fawlty Towers with her American husband. In the sketch, her husband had a heated argument over a waldorf salad which made the episode so memorable.
When fans got news of Nielson's passing, they took to social media to pay tributes to the actress. "rip to the wonderful Claire Nielson, actress from Fawlty Towers' Waldorf Salad episode, among many other UK TV appearances," one fan posted to X.
"Sad news. Claire Nielson was part of the charm that made Fawlty Towers so memorable. Thoughts with her family and fans," another wrote.
Nielson had spoken about her anger with her agent when she was first booked for the role as she was worried it would damage her repuation and career prospects. "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." Beyond her iconic role in Fawlty Towers, Nielson graced numerous beloved programmes. She was a familiar face in The Two Ronnies sketches, frequently taking on female characters," Nielson recalled at the time.
Nielson went on to feature in The Dick Emery Show, Upstairs Downstairs, Z-Cars, Taggart and Monarch of the Glen. In the 60s she had role in the crime drama Ghost Squad and starred as Barbara Grant in the 1971 film adaptation of Kidnapped.
Aside from acting, Nielson was known for being a talented painter and childrens author.
Nielson passed away on the 29th of April.
