Andrew Sachs, the actor who will always be known as Manuel from Fawlty Towers, has died. He was 86.

Reports say that he had been suffering from dementia and died in a care home.

Sachs had a long career and in recent years had appeared in Coronation Street and Casualty. In 2008 he became embroiled in the scandal that became known as Sachsgate when Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left a rude message on his answerphone.

Tributes have been paid on Twitter this evening. Tony Robinson tweeted: "So sad that Andrew Sachs has died. A true friend and a kindred spirit. I still have the wonderful baby pictures he took of my children. RIP."

Sanjeev Bhaskar wrote: "Farewell beloved Manuel."

Tony Blackburn wrote: "He gave us all so many laughs on Fawlty Towers, thank you.R.I.P."

Edgar Wright tweeted: "RIP AndrewSachs who spun comic gold as Manuel in 'Fawlty Towers'."

Omid Djalili wrote: "Sad to learn of the passing of AndrewSachs. Fond memories sharing a dressing room with him & Bill Bailey at We Are Most Amused in 2008"

David Walliams called Fawlty Towers "the greatest sitcom of all time"

And John Cleese tweeted that he was a "kind man and a truly great farceur. I first saw him in Habeas Corpus on stage in 1973.I could not have found a better Manuel. Inspired."

Fawlty Towers stil airs regularly on Gold. The next episode goes out on January 4 at 9pm.