John Cleese split from his third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger, four months ago after fifteen years of marriage.  He was ordered to pay her £77, 500 a month in maintenance in a Californian Court yesterday.

Mr Cleese, 68-years-old, still managed to laugh and joke while in a wheelchair after his recent knee operation, even though the split had been hard on the actor, at least financially.

Ms. Eichelberger, had cried poor, with her lawyer, Jacqueline Misho, told the court that she had “nothing, zero, because Mr Cleese had not seen fit to pay any support up to this points.”

Mr Cleese was said to be “puzzled” that she was able to stay in a hotel costing £600 per night, if she had no money.

The lawyer representing Mr Cleese said that the actor had been forced to sell his beloved Santa Barbera ranch because of the divorce, although Mr Cleese said “It’s going to be very, very expensive, but it will be worth every penny.”

He added jokingly that he had sent some of his wife’s divorce claims to his old Monty Python colleagues, suggesting they could find enough humour in them for a reality television programme.

Miss Eichelberger has allegedly not worked for years but it was claimed she demanded two houses, half of Mr Cleese’s earnings during the period they were married, and £900,000 maintenance per year.

It was reported that she allegedly claimed entitlement to the money, as while being married to Mr Cleese, a “world renowned celebrity”, she was now used to “being entertained by royalty and dignitaries in castles.”

The next hearing is due to take place on June 13.