29 April 2023 , 08:43
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Barry Humphries is said to have secretly battled cancer in the years before his death.
The legendary entertainer, who was best known for his alter ego Dame Edna Everage, died a week ago at the age of 89.
It was originally reported he was in hospital due to complications with hip replacement surgery following a fall at his home.
But now it has emerged that while he was admitted, doctors discovered his cancer was more advanced than they thought, Australian media reports.
Back in 2021, Barry revealed he had been diagnosed with Extramammary Paget’s Disease (EMPD), a form of skin cancer, after noticing something unusual on his testicles in the shower.
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Barry was best known as his alter ego Dame Edna Everage (Getty Images)The slow growing disease is a pre-invasive form of skin cancer that looks similar to a patch of eczema and is most common in people over 60, according to the NHS.
Although Barrie had surgery on the affected area three years ago, it is thought he was still battling the disease at the time of his death.
Sources close to his family told the Australian Daily Telegraph that after his recent hip operation doctors realised “the extent of the cancer that would end his life within six weeks”.
Speaking when he first diagnosed with cancer, Barry explained his health issues in his column for The Oldies magazine.
Barry revealed he had cancer surgery back in 2021 (Getty Images)
With wife of 33 years Lizzie, who held a private funeral for him on Friday (Getty Images)He wrote: “I had the rare Extramammary Paget’s disease, first noticed under the shower – so it was a general anaesthetic and the knife.
“Ladies sometimes get Paget’s on their breasts, but it rarely – if ever – assails a man’s front botty.”
Poking humour at his situation, comedian Barry continued: “The scrotum is very forgiving.
“These comforting words were recently uttered by a distinguished surgeon before he deracinated a nasty excrescence in a dark part of my anatomy.”
Further details surrounding the comedian’s death came to light as his family and friends gathered at a private funeral for the star on Friday.
Barry with good pal Rob Brydon, who is thought to have attended his funeral (Twitter)Reports claim guests were only given 24 hours’ notice to attend the service, which was held at the Bowral estate of his long-time friend, artist Tim Storrier in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.
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It is thought the funeral was held earlier than expected as Barry’s wife of three decades, Lizzie Spender, is flying to London this weekend.
Film director Bruce Beresford said: “It was a small affair, just family and close friends. It was very touching, very warm. Everybody was either related or a great friend of Barry’s.”
No speeches were made, but excerpts from some of Barry’s favourite poems were reportedly read, including three verses from The Heart of a Friend by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
As well as wife Lizzie and his children, Oscar, Rupert, Emily and Tessa, Barry’s close friend, British comedian Rob Brydon is thought to have attended, as well as writer Kathy Lette and Scottish journalist Andrew Neal.
Barry was cremated earlier in the week. It is not known if any public service, such as a stage funeral, will be held in Australia at this time.