John Cleese says the 31-year age gap between him and his girlfriend is a "disgrace".

The 70-year-old actor - who was forced to agree to a settlement totalling $20 million to ex-wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger when their divorce was finalised last year - thinks his relationship with 39-year-old Jennifer Wade is "inappropriate" but jokes she is clearly not after his money as he has none left following his marriage split.

He joked: "I've found someone who is very age inappropriate. Jenny is 39 - which is 31 years difference - which is a disgrace.

"We've only been together three or four months - but she is the most... playful creature. One thing we know about Jenny is, she's not after my money."

The 'Monty Python' star is currently on a comedy tour in Europe, and claims it is to fund his divorce settlement.

He said: "It's very interesting. What I've discovered is that British comedy goes very well in Northern Protestant Europe. I'm doing 25 shows in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

"I mean people are surprised when I say the figures. When Alyce Faye and I split up she got $13 million and I got to keep $8 million. But over the next seven years I have to pay her $1 million a year. She needs it!"