John Cleese is paying his estranged wife £900,000 a year, even though his divorce is not yet finalised.


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The British comic star launched a scathing rant about how much his soon to be ex-wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger is costing him.

Speaking about conservation at Bristol Zoo, he said: “Guess how much I’m paying her at the moment? I’m paying her £900,000 a year. And we had no children. It really is astonishing.”

The twice divorced actor – who may have to hand over half his income and a percentage of his nine properties when the divorce is finalised – also opened his heart about the bitter split.

He added: “I guess Alyce is just feeling very insecure and wants to get everything she can.

“My two other divorces were very peaceful affairs. We went to mediation and it was very civilised. But this is quite different.”

The 68-year-old spoke again about his fledgling relationship with 34-year-old marketing executive Veronica Smiley.

He said: “People will comment about her being half my age, but I’m not sure that matters. She’s absolutely gorgeous and incredibly intelligent.”