Barry Humphries' family gathers as health worsens
Barry Humphries has taken the time to thank his supporters - and to offer them some much-sought after reassurance - in the wake of his readmission to hospital.
The 89-year-old’s family issued a statement updating everyone on the comic’s “serious condition”, and while the message was heartfelt, it came right along with a laugh - in typical Humphries style.
“Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and best wishes he has received,” the message read, before noting that “he would like more and more.”
His fans and friends, of course, were quick to answer the call, flooding social media with another wave of love and support for the star.
“Sending fondest best wishes to my old friend!” one friend wrote. “Take baby steps Barry and don’t argue with the doctors!”
“People throw the term “living legend” about fairly freely, but in Barry’s case, it’s true! What a guy!” declared one fan.
“Good onya Baz! A true Aussie!” said another, on behalf of them all. “Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery.”
BREAKING: This statement has just come in from the family of Barry Humphries. #10NewsFirst pic.twitter.com/3dX1YYlgil
— Angela Bishop OAM (@AngelaBishop) April 19, 2023
The update on his health comes after Peter Ford, Humphries’ friend, shared that the comic - better known for his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage - was in a “serious condition” during an appearance on Sunrise.
He later shared a clip from the episode on social media, writing that Barry “is being kept comfortable. He’s surrounded by family.”
And while Ford noted that “Barry won’t give up easily”, there are concerns that the Australia icon’s health is deteriorating, with his family rushing to be at his side.
Ford explained that “ABC radio in Sydney have now reported Barry has gone into an unresponsive state.
“It does tally up with information I was given yesterday that Barry’s pain was beginning to increase so in turn they began to give him more morphine, which certainly keeps you comfortable, is a nice way of putting it.”
“As we have been reporting all week, Barry has been in an increasingly perilous state of health, all these complications from the fall, the hip replacement, pneumonia … as I told you, his children were told in the beginning it would be advisable if they wanted to come see him to do so … and they are all there right now, along with his wife Lizzie.”
And it seems that his children have followed that advice, with his sons - Oscar and Ruper - coming over from London to be with him, alongside their sister, Emily.
The latter came as a shock to many, as Humphries and his daughter had been estranged for two decades - with the two reportedly only making amends at his bedside.
According to Ford, “he also did reconcile with his daughter who he has not spoken to for over 20 years. They had a bedside meeting and that’s a good thing that that’s happened.
“Largely, now it’s just a waiting game … It is a really serious situation.
“I don’t expect there’s going to be a good outcome.”
However, Humphries' publicist Wendy Day has since denied reports that the beloved comedian was "unresponsive", telling AAP that his condition was unchanged and that he was resting under the care of his doctors.
Images: Getty