Comedian Barry Humphries has been rushed to hospital and is in a "serious condition", it has been announced.
The Australian star, 89, who is best known as character Dame Edna Everage, underwent hip replacement surgery at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney recently and has since been readmitted to the hospital due to complications.
Barry, also known for his Sir Les Patterson character, is said to be "comfortable" and "surrounded by family", according to entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who told Australia's Channel Seven's Sunrise programme about the comedian's current condition.
Peter tweeted a clip from the show and wrote: "Statement to media due to be released shortly. At this moment Barry is a serious condition but being kept comfortable. He's surrounded by family."
Speaking on Sunrise, Peter said Barry "won't give up easily" and previously shared his hopes of being back on stage "before the end of the year".
The entertainment reporter said: "Barry won’t give up easily. Barry has something marked on his calendar and that is to say he'll be back on stage before the end of the year.
"He's been travelling around the UK last year doing a one man show, largely sitting in a chair and talking about the great characters he's created through the years.
"Whether that's a realistic goal for Barry, I don't know, but either way it's not over until it's over but I am told Barry's health has worsened in the last week."
Peter went on to say things "are tough" for the Australian comedian, before adding: "I reckon Barry has a fighting spirit and he's not going to give up easily."
He also added: "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."
Meanwhile, Barry's wife Elizabeth Spender told Sunday Morning Herald: "He's fine." A friend added: "He’s with doctors at the moment."
In March, Barry revealed he was "in agony" after breaking his hip.
The 89 year old told the Sydney 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."
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