20 April 2023 , 08:20
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Barry Humphries has received a public outpouring of love and support following the news of his hospitalisation yesterday.
It was revealed the Dame Edna star, 89, is in a 'serious condition' in St Vincent's hospital in Sydney as his family have rushed to be by his bedside.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford told Australian programme Sunrise of Barry's health: "There are very serious concerns about what happens next … it is a very tough time at the moment.
"But he's got great care, he's got fantastic medical team behind him. His family and friends – closest family – are rallying behind him."
Later, Barry's family released a statement to break their silence following the satirist's hospital stay.
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The statement, read on Australia's 10 News Firs, began: "Barry Humphries is currently in hospital receiving treatment for health issues."
"Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and good wishes he's received but would like more and more."
Barry Humphries is currently in hospital following complications over a hip replacement surgery (WireImage)
The Dame Edna star's family revealed in a statement he was suffering with 'health issues' (Getty Images)It continued: "He would also like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at St Vincent's Hospital."
Meanwhile, Barry's wife Lizzie Spender told Sunday Morning Herald of the comedian's condition: "He's fine."
Barry was hospitalised following complications from a hip replacement surgery.
In March the comedian revealed in an interview he was "in agony" after breaking his hip.
Dame Edna actor Barry fell a month ago in a "domestic incident".
He explained to the Sunday Morning Herald: "It was the most ridiculous thing, like all domestic incidents are. I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went."
Comedian Barry broke his hip after a fall (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The comedian broke his arm after falling off a cliff in 1961 (WireImage)At the time Barry revealed he was recovering and undergoing physiotherapy, which he described as "very painful".
However, he remained determined to "get back on my feet" and joked that with his titanium hip people can call him "Bionic Bazza".
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This isn't the first time Barry has suffered an injury after an accident.
In 1961, Barry had taken a trip to Cornwall while part of the West End production of Oliver! when he slipped on some ice and fell down a cliff.
He rolled down a 50-metre slope on to some rocks and broke his arm.
Barry was rescued by a helicopter after the fall in Cornwall (WireImage)
The comedian also revealed he nearly died after his battle with alcohol addiction (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Barry told The Guardian in 2008: "In Cornwall in 1961, when I slipped on some ice, fell off a cliff and had to be rescued by helicopter."
But, this isn't the only near-death experience he has had. In 2018, Barry revealed he almost died from his battle with alcohol addiction.
The comedian was admitted to a psychiatric hospital at age 36 after his brush with death.
Speaking on 60 Minutes, Barry revealed: "It’s about 45 years since I had an alcoholic drink so I need to discuss this with my friends in the audience to remind me about what it was like.
"You can move on and you forget, really, what a danger you have experienced."
When asked if he could have died, Barry revealed: "Oh, yes, of course. It takes everyone’s life all the time in Australia."