Actor 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.

Sachs, best known for his portrayal of Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic 1970s sitcom "Fawlty Towers", passed away in a care home on November 23 and was buried on Thursday, reports dailymail.co.uk.

His wife Melody 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.

Melody said the couple were happy until the end, adding: "I never once heard him grumble."

(Source: IANS)