The entertainer Barry Humphries is in hospital, surrounded by family, in a “serious condition” following complications from hip replacement surgery. 

The 89-year-old, best known as Dame Edna Everage, is being treated in Sydney.

In a statement, his family said: “Barry Humphries is currently in hospital receiving treatment for health issues.

“Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and good wishes he’s received but would like more and more.”

They added that Humphries “would also like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at St Vincent’s Hospital”.

Humphries’ wife Lizzie Spender, who was by his side, told The Sydney Morning Herald: “He’s fine.”

Peter Ford, an Australian entertainment journalist, claimed that Humphries was in “a serious condition but being kept comfortable”.

He told the Sunrise breakfast show: “Barry won’t give up easily… I am told that Barry’s health has worsened in the last week. These are complications from hip replacement surgery and have been going on for several months now.

“Barry is 89 years old and there are very serious concerns about what happens next.”

Last month, Humphries told the Sydney Morning Herald that he tripped and fell in February, which led to a hip replacement.

“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,” he said, adding that he was now in “agony”.

He said: “The result of my broken hip means I now have a titanium hip. You can call me ‘Bionic Bazza’.”

Humphries added that he had plans to go back on tour later this year.