Barry Humphries in ‘serious’ condition in hospital as family gather at bedside

There is a 'very serious concern' for the legendary comic

The comedian, best known for his Dame Edna character, recently had hip replacement surgery following a fall in February.

But he was readmitted to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney earlier this week due to complications.

The 89-year-old is said to be "comfortable" now, and is surrounded by his loved ones.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford gave an update on the comedian's condition to Australia's Channel Seven's Sunrise programme.

Sharing a clip of him on the news programme, he tweeted: "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."

Ford told the programme: "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."

He added that things were "tough" for the comedian, but that he has a "fighting spirit" and is "not going to give up easily."

When asked how long Humphries might be in hospital for, he said that things were "up in the air" and that there is a "very serious concern about what happens next - it's a very tough time."

Humphries' wife, Lizzie Spender, told the Sydney Morning Herald that her husband was "fine" though.

And a friend simply said: "He's with doctors at the moment."

Related links:

Alec Baldwin to resume filming of ‘Rust’ this week

Mean Girls star insisted her hairy armpits were not edited out of latest photoshoot

Netflix viewers ‘disgusted’ by intimate pillow scene in new errotic thriller series