Tributes are pouring in from around the world for legendary comedian Barry Humphries, described as "one of the greatest ever Australians".
The Dame Edna star died on Saturday, aged 89, at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, where he was being treated for complications from hip surgery earlier this year.
In a statement from Humphries' publicist, it was revealed the comedian had passed away "peacefully."
"It is with great sadness that we announce that Barry Humphries passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia today. He was surrounded by his family," it read.
"He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes to the star, saying he was an "absolute one-of-kind."
"For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone. But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry," he wrote on Twitter.
"A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace."
Tributes flowed from around the world for the comedian, with Little Britain star Matt Lucas saying he was the "greatest."
"I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries. Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest," he said online.
Ricky Gervais kept his simple, saying: "Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius."
Australian author Kathy Lette paid tribute, saying she was "heartbroken."
"Farewell to my favourite person. Heartbroken. RIP dearest darling," she wrote on Twitter.
Broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell, a friend of Humphries, told the BBC he had an "extremely brilliant mind".
"A world in which I don't have the friendship of Barry Humphries is really painful. Because he was so resilient and energetic and loving and direct... that's a great absence in my life now," she said.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Humphries as "one of the greatest ever Australians".
"RIP Barry Humphries - one of the greatest ever Australians - and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable," Johnson wrote on Twitter.
"Also an infallibly brilliant Spectator contributor. What a loss."
Some of Humphries' fellow travellers in the world of entertainment also paid tribute to the comedian, including Australians Adam Hills, Rove McManus, Marty Fields and Jason Donovan.
Hills described Humphries' as "one of the greatest comedians of our time".
"He was nothing but an utter gentleman to me, and occasionally a Dame," Hills wrote on social media.
"A God of comedy. What a massive loss," Fields posted.
Donovan said Australia had lost "one of its greatest".
"Funny, literate and fiercely intelligent Barry Humphries was quite simply an entertaining genius. The characters he created brought laughter to millions … My thoughts are with family on this sad day!"
Welsh comedian Rob Brydon posted: "RIP Barry Humphries. A true great who inspired me immeasurably.
"It was a delight to call him my friend ... His talent shone until the very end," Brydon, who is in Australia and was with Humphries just three days ago, wrote on Twitter.
British comedian David Walliams said watching Humphries live was 'like being struck by a thunderbolt".
"Seeing Barry Humphries live was like being struck by a thunderbolt. I had never laughed so much in my life. That anyone could be so hilarious was magic. Off-stage he was elegant & sophisticated but just as funny as Dame Edna. A lethal wit, fast & fearless he was the greatest," Walliams wrote on Twitter.
