Business & Money

The 'Monty Python' and 'Fawlty Towers' actor and creator was left reeling after a divorce settlement from third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger in which he was ordered to give £8million in cash and assets.

Approaching retirement age, Cleese has had to launch a new one-man show to pay for his £600,000 a year settlement to Eichelberger for the next seven years, which he reports leaves his ex-wife richer than him.

The new stand up show is aptly named the 'Alimony Tour, Year One', in which he openly tells the audience "I'm here, my friends, because frankly I need the money! I've fallen on hard times. I'm having to pay $20 million to a woman who I believe is the special love child of Bernie Madoff and Heather Mills."

The audience may find it amusing but doubtless the comedian doesn't see the funny side of the situation.