Barry Humphries’ poignant final photos show kind act before death

Barry Humphries receives award for his character Edna Everage

Barry Humphries was last photographed in the UK during a Charity Gala night at a London theatre.

The Dame Edna Everage star attended a performance of Rehab The Musical in September 2022 which raised funds for Crossroads Centre Antigua for Addiction Recovery.

The organisation has raised more than £24,000 which is used to help rehabilitate those struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.

In the poignant photographs, Barry can be seen flashing his characteristically cheeky grin while he greeted the cast.

He can be seen wrapping his arm around actors including Keith Allen, Annabel Giles and Phil Sealey.

Also in attendance was lyricist Don Black.

Barry himself had battled with alcohol addiction, which he said almost killed him.

He began to drink heavily in the 1960s as his comedy career was going from strength to strength.

His family and friends soon became concerned that his drinking would become detrimental and even cost him in life.

His parents eventually had him admitted to a private hospital after he was found drunk at the side of a street, BBC reports.

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After the incident Barry gave up booze and managed to steer clear of it for more than half a century.

He told the Independent in 2004 that he discovered “life was more stimulating without stimulants”.

Then, in 2018, Barry revealed that he almost died of his addiction.

He told Australia’s 60 Minutes: “You can move on and you forget really what a danger you have experienced.

“You’ve got out of the lion’s den so don’t go back for your hat.

“Of course [I could have died]. It takes everyone’s life all the time in Australia.”

On Saturday, a representative announced the Les Patterson star had died aged 89.

He had been admitted to hospital earlier this week following surgery complications from a hip operation in February.

In a statement from his family, they said the beloved comedian had held on to his “brilliant mind” right until the end.

His loved ones added that “he was completely himself until the very end” and never lost his “unique wit and generosity of spirit”.

Barry is survived by his wife Lizzie Spender, his four children: Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, as well as 10 grandchildren.

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