Australian comedian Barry Humphries has been returned to hospital just days after being discharged following hip replacement surgery.
The 89-year-old, famed for his much-loved character Dame Edna, has been readmitted to hospital in Sydney as a result of complications arising from the operation.
The Mail reports entertainment journalist Peter Ford telling Sunrise in Australia that the comedian’s health had worsened in recent days.
It quotes Mr Ford as saying: “Australia loves you and will always be grateful for everything you have given us.
“I think Barry has a fighting spirit that he won’t give up easily.”
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Humphries underwent surgery after being left in “agony” following a fall at his home. He injured his hip when he tripped on a rug while reaching for a book.
At the time, he said he was hoping to recover in time for another one man show later this year, but this may be in doubt following the latest setback.
The Melbourne native has played Dame Edna since 1955, having created the character after dropping out of university at the age of 21.
Mr Humphries invented Dame Edna as a drab Melbourne housewife satirising Australian suburbia, but the character has adopted an increasingly outlandish personna.
Since the 1970s Dame Edna has evolved from “housewife and superstar” to “megastar” and eventually “gigastar”.
He is also well known for playing Sir Les Patterson — his “priapic and inebriated cultural attaché”.
