Barry Humphries death – latest: Matt Lucas and Jimmy Carr lead tributes to ‘lovely’ Dame Edna star
Comedian’s death was announced Saturday 22 April with performing world mourning his loss
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Tributes from across the entertainment industry are flooding in following the death of Barry Humphries.
The Australian comedy legend died aged 89 in a Sydney hospital surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday.
His family said in a statement that Humphries “was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit”.
The star’s death follows reports earlier this week that he had been admitted to hospital with “serious health problems” following complications with a recent hip replacement surgery.
Across his seven-decade career, Humphries became best known for his creations Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage.
His other credits include appearances in Bedazzled (1967), Spice World (1997), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) and Finding Nemo (2003).
Matt Lucas, Carol Vorderman and Rob Brydon are among the industry figures to have paid tribute to Humphries.
Scroll down for live updates and tributes to the comedian and actor as they come in.
Highlights from tributes to ‘comedy genius'
Tributes have poured in following the news of Barry Humphries’ death.
The Australian comedy legend died aged 89 on Saturday (22 April) in hospital in Sydney surrounded by his loved ones.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the Melbourne-born entertainer had been admitted to a Sydney hospital with “serious health problems” following complications with a recent hip replacement surgery.
Barry Humphries’ “hugely popular” BBC Radio 2 series to be played in tribute
Episodes from Barry Humphries’ “hugely popular” BBC Radio 2 series Forgotten Music Masterpieces will be played in tribute to the late entertainer, the broadcaster has confirmed.
Laura Busson, commissioning executive for Radio 2, said: “Everyone at Radio 2 is saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Humphries.
“His six Radio 2 series of Barry Humphries’ Forgotten Music Masterpieces were hugely popular with our audience, and we will publish some of these programmes on BBC Sounds today for listeners to enjoy, in tribute to Barry.”
Jason Donovan leads Australian tributes
Australian actor Jason Donovan has said Barry Humphries was “quite simply an entertaining genius”.
He tweeted: “Australia has lost one of its greatest!
“Funny, literate and fiercely intelligent, Barry Humphries was quite simply an entertaining genius.
“The characters he created brought laughter to millions… My thoughts are with family on this sad day!”
Piers Morgan says Humphries was ‘as hilarious in private’ as on TV
Broadcaster Piers Morgan has said Barry Humphries was “as hilarious in private as he was as the iconic Dame Edna”.
“RIP Barry Humphries, 89. One of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” he tweeted.
“A wondrously intelligent, entertaining, daring, provocative, mischievous comedy genius.
“As hilarious in private as he was as the iconic Dame Edna. What a life, what a character. Thanks for all the laughs, Barry.”
Carol Vorderman praises ‘genius'
TV presenter Carol Vorderman praised Barry Humphries’ “bright intelligence and mischief”.
“You will be mourned Barry Humphries,” she tweeted.
“I only met you a few times but that look in your eyes full of bright intelligence and mischief, knowing trouble was ahead and looking forward to every special second of it: I’ll never forget it. Thank you Sir.
“A genius.”
Humphries was ‘one of the funniest ever'
Comedian Dara O Briain has described Barry Humphries as “one of the absolute funniest people ever”.
“RIP Barry Humphries, one of the absolute funniest people ever,” O Briain tweeted.
“A huge life, lived long and well. He will be missed.”
Andrew Neil visited star in hospital in weeks before death
Broadcaster Andrew Neil has said he visited Barry Humphries in hospital two weeks ago when his “spirits and wit were as acute as ever”.
“So sad to learn Barry Humphries has passed away,” he tweeted.
“When I visited him in his Sydney hospital two weeks ago he was ailing from several health problems.
“But his spirits and wit were as acute as ever. We laughed away as the stories poured out. Funny, hugely literate, fiercely smart.
“I count myself lucky and privileged I got to see him one more time. A comic genius the likes of which we will never see again.”
Australia’s prime minister gives praises to ‘brightest star'
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Barry Humphries, describing him as “the brightest star” in “a galaxy of personas”.
“For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone,” Mr Albanese tweeted.
“But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry.
“A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace.”
Goodbye
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