Which Fawlty Towers episode was the last first shown in the original run?

“Basil the Rat” was the last Fawlty Towers episode first shown in the original run.

It is the sixth and final episode of the second series, and it was eventually broadcast on BBC Two on 25 October 1979. The episode centres on Manuel’s pet rat, which escapes into the hotel while a health inspector is expected, creating another crisis for Basil and the staff.

Its position in the broadcast history is slightly unusual. The first five episodes of series two were shown between 19 February and 26 March 1979, but “Basil the Rat” was delayed after industrial action disrupted production at the BBC. It therefore aired months after the rest of the series.

“The Anniversary” was shown before it, despite being the penultimate episode in series two. “The Germans” and “Waldorf Salad” are also well-known episodes, but they appeared earlier in the programme’s run.