Barry Humphries battled inoperable cancer for years before his death trends now
Barry Humphries fought a secret battle with inoperable cancer for years before his death last week.
The Australian actor and comic, known for his alter ego Dame Edna Everage, died aged 89 on April 22, following complications from a recent hip replacement surgery.
As he was farewelled on Friday, surrounded by family and close friends, reports emerged that Humphries' health was 'complex' during the final years of his life.
'Close family sources' confirmed to the The Saturday Telegraph he had been diagnosed with Extramammary Paget's disease, a rare form of skin cancer, in 2021 after noticing 'something unusual' on one of his testicles when he was in the shower.
He underwent surgery following this initial discovery, but after his recent hip operation doctors realised 'the extent of the cancer that would... end his life within six weeks'.
Barry Humphries (pictured in Sydney on March 17, 2017) fought a secret battle with inoperable cancer for years before his death last week
'I had the rare Extramammary Paget's disease, first noticed under the shower - so it was a general anaesthetic and the knife,' he explained in his column for The Oldies magazine at the time.
Humphries was farewelled at a private funeral by family and friends, who made last-minute arrangements to be there after being only given 24 hours' notice.
The private ceremony was held at the Bowral estate of his long-time friend and artist Tim Storrier on Friday in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The Australian actor and comic, known for his alter ego Dame Edna Everage (pictured), died aged 89 on April 22, following complications from a recent hip replacement surgery. As he was farewelled on Friday, surrounded by family and close friends, reports emerged his health was 'complex' during the final years of his life
Humphries' wife Lizzie Spender is set to leave for London on Saturday, and guests were only told on Thursday night his funeral was being held the next day, The Australian reported.
'It was a small affair, just family and close friends,' film director Bruce Beresford said.
Also at the ceremony were Humphries' sons Oscar and Rupert, who flew in from London, as well as his daughters Emily and Tessa, brother Christopher and sister Barbara.
Beresford said no speeches were made, but excerpts from some of Humphries' favourite poems were read, including three verses from his favourite poem, The Heart of a Friend
