The size of the payout has stunned the actor to such an extent it may spur him on to comedic form not seen for years. Referring to the settlement he was quoted as saying, "I got off lightly. Think what I’d have had to pay Alyce if she had contributed anything to the relationship."

The Times reports that the 69 year-old former Monty Python star has agreed to pay Alyce Faye Eichelberger Cleese, a psychotherapist, £8 million in cash and assets plus monthly maintenance of £50,000 for the next seven years, taking the total package to in excess of £12 million.

Cleese was shocked and horrified at the size of his ex-wife’s claim for which he has blamed the harsh tactics of his ex-wife’s American lawyer, Jacqueline Misho. He claims was threatened wih a restraining order if he even spoke to Eichelberger.

The actor has also said that the deal will leave him poorer than his former wife, and will force him to work well into his 70s to "feed the beast". That’s not the final chapter however – he is reported to be renting a house in the New Forest as he works on a new one-man show called My Alyce Faye Divorce Tour .

Looks like he’ll have the last laugh.