Barry Humphries health update – comedian behind Dame Edna Everage, 89, is ‘stable and responsive’ after hospital dash
DOCTORS treating comedian Barry Humphries have issued a hopeful health update on his condition days after he was rushed back to hospital.
The 89-year-old Australian comic behind the Dame Edna Everage character was reported to be "unresponsive" on Thursday evening.
But on Friday, a spokesman for St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney called the report that cited an unnamed family source "incorrect" and insisted that Humphries was now "responsive" and "stable".
Yesterday, his four children rushed to his hospital bedside to be with him.
Humphries, whose Dame Edna character made him famous around the world, was readmitted to hospital earlier this week.
He was first hospitalised in February after tripping over a rug while reaching for a book at his home and needed hip surgery.
But after being released, he was taken back to hospital this week with post-surgery complications.
On Wednesday, the Humphries family issued a statement thanking fans for their messages of support.
They said: "Barry Humphries is currently in hospital receiving treatment for health issues.
"Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and good wishes he has received but would like more and more.
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"He would also like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at St Vincent's Hospital.
9News entertainment editor Richard Wilkins said that Humphries' health "took a turn" this week.
He said on Wednesday: "One of his very close friends and colleagues said that he spoke to him a couple of days ago and that he was in good spirits and in good shape.
"However, it appears that in the last little while, Barry has taken a turn for the worst and is back in hospital."
But he added that the comedian still "aims to be back on stage again this year".
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford said that Humphries was a "trooper" and wouldn't be "giving up easily".
He went on: "Barry certainly intends to keep on fighting."
Melbourne-born comedian Humphries first created his most famous character in 1955.
Throughout his career, he has met with celebs and royalty, charming both the late Queen Mother and King Charles.
Even last year, he was still touring after bringing back his Dame Edna character.
Just last month, he told the Sydney Morning Herald how excited he was to get back on the road.
He said: "I have to get back on my feet... I'm going back on tour later this year."
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And he joked that thanks to his new titanium hip as a result of the surgery, he was now going by "Bionic Bazza".
He added that his medical bill was "bloody enormous" and went on: "I strongly advise not breaking your hip!"