Barry Humphries death – latest: Matt Lucas and Jimmy Carr lead tributes to ‘lovely’ Dame Edna star

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.

Key Points

• Barry Humphries’ family issues statement: Read in full

• Ricky Gervais bids farewell to ‘comedy genius’ Barry Humphries

Ricky Gervais remembers ‘comedy genius'

14:27 , Annabel Nugent

Ricky Gervais was one of the first to pay tribute to Barry Humphries.

The Office star wrote on Twitter: “Farewell, Barry Humphries, you comedy genius.”

Comedian’s family issues statement

14:32 , Annabel Nugent

Barry Humphries’ family issued a statement announcing the comedian’s death.

Read the statement in full: “He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit.

“With over ​70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.”

“His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted. Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of ​a​​​​rt in all its forms.​

“He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives.

“The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”

Matt Lucas shares photo of himself and Humphries

14:34 , Annabel Nugent

“I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries. Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest,” wrote the former Great British Bake Off star.

Lucas accompanied his words with a smiley photo of himself and Humphries together.

Esther Rantzen says “world is sadder” after loss

14:40 , Sam Rkaina

Dame Esther Rantzen said “the world is just that bit sadder” following the death of friend and comedian Barry Humphries.

She told the PA news agency: “I’m very sad. I think we’ve lost a source of so much fun and someone I have worked with since the mid-1960s and liked and admired so much.

“My memory of Dame Edna Everage goes back to when she was a mere Mrs, she was even then a superstar.

She was dressed by BBC’s rather frumpy stock wardrobe but, of course, she turned into a butterfly and obviously achieved damehood.

“She influenced me greatly. When I was lucky enough to be honoured with damehood, I was very frequently introduced as Dame Edna because it became a phrase which came naturally, and I was thrilled.

“Barry was cultured and clever and a voracious reader and all the things that Sir Les Patterson not.

“A great creative artist.”

Humphries has ‘taken final bow'

15:00 , Sam Rkaina

Australian comedian Adam Hills said it was “appropriate” Barry Humphries “took his final bow on a Saturday night”.

“RIP Barry Humphries. One of the greatest comedians of our time,” Hills tweeted.

“He was nothing but an utter gentleman to me, and occasionally a Dame. Appropriately, he took his final bow on a Saturday night.”

Comedian Jimmy Carr, who is on tour in Australia, tweeted: “A bit bittersweet doing gigs in Australia this evening, Barry Humphries has past and no one will ever be as good at crowd work again.”

Boris Johnson joins the tributes to ‘greatest Australian'

15:15 , Sam Rkaina

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson has said Barry Humphries was “one of the greatest ever Australians”.

“RIP Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable,” he tweeted.

“Also an infallibly brilliant Spectator contributor. What a loss.”

Star who lived a life as colourful as his many characters

15:30 , Sam Rkaina

A veteran of stage and screen, Barry Humphries entertained generations with the high camp of his Dame Edna Everage alter ego and as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson.

The Australian multi-hyphenate may be best known for playing those characters across a seven-decade career, but his talents also extended into script writing and film producing.

He was regarded by some critics as the most significant comedian to emerge since Charlie Chaplin and lived a life as colourful as his characters.

Click here for the full story.

Rob Brydon: ‘He was a true great'

15:45 , Sam Rkaina

Comedian Rob Brydon, friend of Barry Humphries, said he was with the Australian entertainer just three days ago when “he was, as ever, making me laugh”.

“RIP Barry Humphries. A true great who inspired me immeasurably,” Brydon tweeted.

“It was a delight to call him my friend.

“I’ve been in Australia and was with him only 3 days ago. He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the very end.

“My love goes out to Lizzie and all the family.”

‘Don’t judge Australia by the Australians’: Memorable quotes

16:00 , Sam Rkaina

Barry Humphries spent seven decades making audiences laugh both through his timeless parody characters and own unashamed wit.

The Australian performer died at the age of 89 after years of performing on both stage and television.

His characters ranged from the high-camp of Dame Edna Everage, to the sleaze of Aussie statesman Sir Les Patterson.

Click here for some of his most memorable quotes.

Watch Dame Edna’s greatest TV moments

16:15 , Sam Rkaina

Highlights from tributes to ‘comedy genius'

16:30 , Sam Rkaina

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.

Click her for just some of the latest tributes.

Barry Humphries’ “hugely popular” BBC Radio 2 series to be played in tribute

16:45 , Sam Rkaina

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

17:00 , Sam Rkaina

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

17:15 , Sam Rkaina

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'

17:30 , Sam Rkaina

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'

17:45 , Sam Rkaina

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

18:00 , Sam Rkaina

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'

18:15 , Sam Rkaina

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

22:52 , Thomas Kingsley

We’re ending our live blog coverage, thank you following along.