Fawlty Towers star John Cleese, who moved to Monaco last year to ease his tax burden, is set to check out of the principality and return to London.

The comedian and his wife Jennifer are reported to have found life in the tax-lite state difficult and are to relocate back to the capital to be nearer to friends and family.

A message posted on Monaco Life, an online message board for residents, informs readers of a 'deeply discounted' fire-sale of luxury furniture and art pieces belonging to the Cleese's.

Among the items being sold include assorted Christopher Guy house furnishings that amount to €12,600 (£10,792) and a 46" Loewe 3D TV for €1,800. The online wall-posting advises prospective buyers that the collection can only be viewed and purchased in person in Monaco.

Cleese, who first came into the public eye as part of the comedic Monty Python group, had to relinquish £8m, plus additional yearly contributions to his ex-wife and announced his move to Monaco last year to avoid further financial restraint from the UK taxman.

The plush apartment in Monte Carlo's exclusive Carré d'Or area however that the couple were living in, has already been re-let, meaning the Cleese's must have completely moved out before the start of the next tax year.