URI Geller, the famous spoon and fork bender and international paranormalist, has left Sonning after more than 30 years and has returned to his homeland Israel.

Mr Geller, 68, is now living in Old Jaffa with his wife, Hanna, whom he married in 1979.

The illusionist has communicated the news of his departure to his global army of fans via his Facebook site instead of by mental telepathy.

He was a great favourite with the village locals in Sonning, where he frequently jogged five miles a day.

His distinctive home was modelled on the White House in Washington, and had a sculpture once owned by the late President John F Kennedy.

One famous visitor to his home was his friend, the late singer Michael Jackson, who attended the ceremony to renew his wedding vows in 2001.

In his latest Facebook message he said: "We have made a major step in our lives and have moved back to Israel my homeland after being away for 45 years."

He says he will continue his international television shows and 'motivational' lectures for companies and events all over the world.

Apart from his ability to bend forks and spoons he once took credit for saving Reading Football Club from relegation.

He urged fans to look into his eyes and repeat: "Win, Reading, win!"

The match resulted in a draw, and former manager Alan Pardew dismissed Geller's claims.

He described his home as 'minimalist', with few possessions, but locals will be wondering whether he has taken away his 12ft statue of a gorilla made with 40,000 spoons sculpted by Alfie Bradley in 2014.

He was also proud of his cane motor cycle, purchased in Henley, made by a 95-year-old woman from Bangkok, Thailand.

Geller was born in Tel Aviv in 1946, is the son of a former retired army sergeant, and claims to be the distant relative of Sigmund Freud.