Comedy star offers personal video conversations

John Cleese is offering fans the chance to ‘meet’ him via video call for up to £235 a pop.

The Fawlty Towers star – who has previously spoken of the financial strain of his alimony payments – is offering the virtual ‘meet and greet’ via US website Fanmio.

Our news comes after fans paid out £375 this weekend to pose for a signed photo with Sir David Jason in a mock-up of the Only Fools And Horses set specially built in a Bedford hotel.

Encounters with 80-year-old Cleese are via video, with fans being given an HD file of the experience in a ‘John Cleese digital frame’ as well as a ticket to his live anecdote show, The Untold Stories Of John Cleese.

That option costs $200 (£155), while fans who opt for the more expensive $300  (£235) option also get a framed signed photo and a T-shirt.

The T-shirts are available for £23.50 a alone – with five buyers chosen at random for a virtual encounter – all of which will take place on May 2.

In a video to promote the event, he said: ’I trust I’ve given you a few laughs over the years and now I’d love to give you the chance to meet me and ask me questions… on a personally meet me on a one-on-one video meet and greet session. It’ll just be the two of us talking and you can ask me whatever you want.’

When Cleese split from his third wife his third wife, Alyce Faye Eichelberger, in 2008 the divorce settlement was reported to be in the region of £12million. And when he toured two years later, he called the show his Alimony tour.

He said at the time: ‘I get angry that I have to pack my trunk just to make money. That I, at my age, would have to plan my life anew to pay her all the money she is to get for seven years – well it irritates me. I'd rather have been drinking coffee, reading books and writing. I can't afford that now.’

Cleese will be encouraged by the fact that this weekend’s Only Fools And Horses event – which also included a Q&A with Sir David – sold out almost immediately when it was advertised last year, despite the eye-watering prices.

Cheaper options included £55 for a photo in the Nelson Mandela House flat without the Del Boy star, or £255, to have a photo with him but not his autograph.

Among those who signed up was former boxer Ricky Hatton, who posted the snaps online, captioning them: 'Met one of my heroes today. Sir David Jason (Del Boy). Absolutely made up!’

Published: 2 Mar 2020