Sir Norman Wisdom - at one time Epsom's most famous resident - is unlikely to be seen in the town again, according to reports.

The 92-year-old veteran funnyman's flat off Church Street has been sold and he has moved into a nursing home on the Isle of Man. It is thought the desicion was taken by his family and that the film and television star is suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Until recently Sir Norman could regularly be seen driving round Epsom in his Rolls-Royce but now all his cars have been sold as well. He used his Epsom home when visiting or working in London and at one time was registered on the electoral roll in Epsom and Ewell.

Sir Norman, who was knighted in 2000, got an amazing career boost when he became a national hero in Albania.

His 1950s slapstick films, in which Sir Norman played a variety of hapless roles, became a hit with the Balkan country's ruling family, which placed strict controls on what was shown on state television and in cinemas.

In recent years, he spent most of his time at his Isle of Man home, which is also expected to be sold to pay for his care.

Although he claimed to have retired from showbusiness at the age of 90, he was still a popular cruise ship entertainer and in January this year took a part in a short film made in Stourbridge in the West Midlands.

He also had a cameo in Coronation Street last year. His was one of a number of roles handed to star actors, including Ian McKellen and the comedian Peter Kay.

Bev Holder, chief reporter of the Stourbridge News, who was on set to watch the filming, said: "He appeared frail and his speech was slow."