John Cleese starts new romance

Mar 11, 2010, 12:32 GMT

John Cleese is reportedly dating jewellery designer Jennifer Wade.

The 'Monty Python' star was pictured enjoying coffee and a shopping trip in Jennifer's home town of Bath, South England, after flying from Los Angeles to visit her.

Although this is the first time they have been seen in public together, John and Jennifer - who grew up in the US - have reportedly been secretly dating for three months, after they were introduced by pals.

A friend said: "Jenny is a really lovely and kind woman."

John, 70, has had a turbulent love life recently, after his divorce from third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger, 64, resulted in a court ordering him to pay a settlement of £12.28million.

Of the 2008 divorce he said: "That I, at my age, would have to plan my life anew to pay her all the money she is to get for the next seven years - well, it irritates me.

"I'd rather have been drinking coffee, reading books and writing. I can't afford that now."

More recently John dated US comedian Barbara Orr, who claimed to be 27 and was later revealed to be 45. They split after two months because he was tired of her making fun of his age and revealing personal details about him such as his hair plugs.

At the time Orr said she "kept picturing him naked wondering what someone that old looks like, and would I actually sleep with them".

She also joked: "For his birthday, I was thinking about buying him a Zimmer frame."

Orr did, however, publicly praise the comic actor's lovemaking abilities - calling him "athletic" in the bedroom and a "great kisser".