Australian entertainer Barry Humphries, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, has died at the age of 89.

A spokesperson for St Vincent's hospital in Sydney, where Mr Humphries was being treated, has confirmed the entertainer died on Saturday evening.

David Faktor told the PA news agency: "I can confirm Barry Humphries passed away this evening Sydney time, around 7pm on Saturday evening (11am BST)."

Comedian Matt Lucas has described Barry Humphries as "quite simply the greatest" as he paid tribute to the Australian entertainer after his death.

"I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries," Lucas tweeted, sharing a picture of them together.

"Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest."

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Barry Humphries, describing him as "the brightest star" in "a galaxy of personas".

"For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone," Mr Albanese tweeted.

"But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry."

Broadcaster Andrew Neil has said he visited Barry Humphries in hospital two weeks ago when his "spirits and wit were as acute as ever".

"So sad to learn Barry Humphries has passed away," he tweeted.

"When I visited him in his Sydney hospital two weeks ago he was ailing from several health problems.

"But his spirits and wit were as acute as ever. We laughed away as the stories poured out. Funny, hugely literate, fiercely smart.

"I count myself lucky and privileged I got to see him one more time. A comic genius the likes of which we will never see again."

Comedian Dara O Briain has described Barry Humphries as "one of the absolute funniest people ever."

TV presenter Carol Vorderman, meanwhile, praised the entertainer's 'bright intelligence and mischief'.

"You will be mourned Barry Humphries," she tweeted.

"I only met you a few times but that look in your eyes full of bright intelligence and mischief, knowing trouble was ahead and looking forward to every special second of it: I'll never forget it. Thank you Sir. A genius."

Comedians Ricky Gervais and Rory Bremner, meanwhile, have described the enertainer as an 'all-time great'.

"Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius," Gervais tweeted.

Also posting on Twitter, Bremner said: "Heavens. With the passing of #barryhumphries we lose an all-time great.

"Lightning quick, subversive, mischievous, widely read,deeply knowledgeable about art, music & literature- & savagely funny.

"Dame Edna arguably the greatest comic persona ever. Les Patterson too. True genius."

Episodes from Barry Humphries' "hugely popular" BBC Radio 2 series Forgotten Music Masterpieces will be played in tribute to the late entertainer, the broadcaster has confirmed.

Laura Busson, commissioning executive for Radio 2, said: "Everyone at Radio 2 is saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Humphries.

"His six Radio 2 series of Barry Humphries' Forgotten Music Masterpieces were hugely popular with our audience, and we will publish some of these programmes on BBC Sounds today for listeners to enjoy, in tribute to Barry."