United Kingdom, June 13 -- John Cleese has learned to be critical of himself throughout his career.

The 85-year-old comedy legend felt confident like never before after reading the script for Fawlty Towers: The Play at London's Apollo Theatre in 2024, but John feels he has to be "self-deprecating" - even more so in the UK - because he does not want people to brand him as "cocky".

John told the new issue of Candis magazine: "To be honest, I was more confident about it than almost anything I've ever done.

"But life has taught me to be self-deprecating, particularly in the UK; otherwise you're accused of being a bit cocky and you get slapped down."

John thinks the production - which adapted three episodes of the much-loved BBC sitcom, Th...