Wavering House has remained untouched since Howerd bought it with his partner and manager Dennis Heymer for £19,662 in 1969.

The cottage still has the servants’ bells, but has no central heating or plumbing for a washing machine.

But it is filled with a treasure trove of Frankie Howerd memorabilia, complete with the Up Pompeii star’s toupee and false teeth.

A painting given to him by the Queen Mother is also included, with scores of scripts, swords used by Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, and a fossilised egg found in Pompeii – a gift from the Italian government.

The four-bed house in Cross, Somerset, was home to Howerd until his death aged 75 in 1992. It is being sold by Chris Byrne, who manages the estate on behalf of ailing Dennis.

Mr Byrne said: “It would be nice if a fan bought the house with everything in it. If not, we’ll auction them off.”