COMEDY hero Barry Humphries’ family paid tribute to him last night saying the star was “completely himself until the very end” after he died aged 89.
The funnyman, whose gladioli-waving Dame Edna Everage alter ego and “Hello Possums!” catchphrase thrilled fans, passed away in a hospital in Sydney, Australia.
He died following complications from hip replacement surgery.
His family said: “Until the very end, he never lost 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.
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“His passing leaves a void in so many lives. The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of News Corp, which publishes The Sun on Sunday, said on the passing of his friend: “In whatever guise, Barry was a genuine genius.
“His works, his creations, his spirit will echo across the generations and his friendship is eternal”.
Humphries had brushed off concerns about his health but died surrounded by family, including his fourth wife Lizzie Spender.
The father of four tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in February and had surgery, before being readmitted to hospital last week.
He sent a message to fans from his hospital bed, in which he joked: “Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and best wishes he has received but he would like more and more.”
A month ago, he said he was expecting to be back in good shape within weeks.
Global stars and politicians paid tribute to Humphries — who was born in 1934 in a Melbourne suburb — for his seven decades on stage.
Ricky Gervais led the tributes and called him a genius.
Former PM Boris Johnson said: “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. What a loss.”
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Talk show legend Sir Michael Parkinson also called him a genius and said he was one of his favourite guests of all time.
He added: “I have lost a dear friend of many years. Barry was a cultured, highly intelligent, fascinating man.
“He just happened to create, in Dame Edna Everage, one of the everlasting comedy characters.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman said: “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.”
Comic Rob Brydon said: “A true great who inspired me immeasurably.
It was a delight to call him my friend. I’ve been in Australia and was with him only three days ago.
“He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the end.”
Impressionist Rory Bremner said: “Heavens. With the passing of Barry Humphries we lose an all-time great.”
Little Britain star Matt Lucas, who shared a picture of the pair together, described Humphries as “quite simply the greatest”.
Former Mock The Week host Dara O Briain described Humphries as “one of the absolute funniest people ever”.
Comedian Jimmy Carr, who is on tour in Australia, said: “A bit bittersweet doing gigs in Australia this evening, Barry Humphries has passed and no one will ever be as good at crowd work again.”
Former Neighbours star Jason Donovan posted a picture of himself as a young man posing with Humphries dressed as Dame Edna, adding: “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.”
Singer Dannii Minogue said: “A legacy of laughter he will leave.”
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp added: “He was a family friend and adored by my Dad and late Mum.
“He was a polymath; bright and brilliant, and endlessly, endlessly fun.”
And TalkTV host and Sun columnist Piers Morgan said: “One of the funniest people I’ve ever met. A wondrously intelligent, entertaining, daring, provocative, mischievous comedy genius.”
Humphries’ most famous creation first emerged as plain Mrs Edna Everage in a sketch performed at Melbourne University’s Union Theatre in 1955.
Edna’s lilac permed hair, outlandish cat-eye glasses and garish gowns became famous across the globe and she was a regular on TV chat shows.
She often appeared with her long-suffering and brow-beaten bridesmaid Madge Allsop, played by Emily Perry.
His uncouth, alcoholic “cultural attache” character Sir Les Patterson was also a favourite and he enjoyed film roles, including 1967’s Bedazzled.
Even the Royal Family were fans of Humphries.
In May 1977, as Dame Edna, he met the Queen at a Windsor gala event for her silver jubilee appeal.
In 2007, Humphries was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to entertainment.
In 2019, he appeared in the royal box as Dame Edna alongside the then Prince Charles and wife Camilla.
With the Royals in hysterics, Edna left announcing: “They’ve found me a better seat.”
In the beloved entertainer’s final photo, his characteristic cheeky smile shone through as he posed with two staff members at a luxury wellness retreat in Greece last December.
One summed him up, saying he had “a great sense of humour, kindness and politeness”.
