Barry Humphries Dies, Aged 89
The comedy legend that is Barry Humphries has died in Australia aged 89.
The face behind Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson the celebrated Australian comedian had been readmitted to hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery last month, following a fall in February.
Humphries’ most famous creation became a hit in the UK in the 1970’s and landed her own TV chat show, the Dame Edna Everage Experience, in the late 1980s.
His other personas included the lecherous drunk Sir Les Patterson.
In a statement, his family remembered him as “completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit”.
They said Humphries’ fans were “precious to him”, and said his characters, “which brought laughter to millions, will live on”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute shortly after the news of Humphries’ death broke.
“A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift.” Mr Albanese said.
Full story and tributes BBC News