Shock moment Lee Evans announced his retirement before completely disappearing from showbiz

Lee Evans' very funny and very sweaty performances are greatly missed in the world of comedy after he decided to retire 10 years ago.

The 60-year-old stepped back from standing up in 2014 and isn't often seen in public.

Last year, he was pictured strolling around London's Covent Garden with his wife, Heather Nudds.

But apart from that, he hadn't been seen (by paparazzi) in three years.

His retirement, however, stunned everyone at the time, with Evans being only 50.

He announced his departure on The Jonathan Ross Show and we all thought he was joking naturally.

As soon as Ross asked him a question about hanging up his comedy boots, the host was stunned by the response.

The Mousetrap actor then told a shocked crowd: “This is it. Finished. It's the end.

"Yep. Not doing anything.

"This is it. My manager [Addison Cresswell] died last year.

"I suppose really, I started off cleaning toilets when I was a kid, I've had loads of jobs, I've been working, working, working.

Lee Evans announced his retirement on The Jonathan Ross Show. (ITV)

"My dad always said to us, 'you've got to work'. But, I've ignored for far too long, my missus.

"And I want to spend more time with her.

"I ain't doing nothing. I'm going to go and see my wife, I'm going to give her a big hug and said, 'I am yours'."

He added: “I've come to a junction in my life where - please forgive me if it sounds very narcissistic - I've done musicals and plays and films and stand-up and you sort of get to a point where you go, 'I don't know what else to do next'.”

Prior to retiring, Evans enjoyed a hugely successful career and even broke into Hollywood with There’s Something About Mary and The Fifth Element in the late nineties.

At the height of his fame, he regularly sold out arena tours and performed for over 10,000 people as one of Britain’s best-loved comics.

Work hard and retire early, why not? (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

According to The Richest, Evans is worth approximately $8 million (£5.6 million) with the majority of that being earned from his massive arena tours, rather than his film appearances.

Not only did he manage to sell £7 million worth of tickets for his 2011 'Roadrunner' tour on the first day alone, but the comedian was so in demand that further dates were added and the tour ended up grossing £12.9 million.

Lee, we miss you! But we certainly hope you're enjoying retirement.