Author Kathy Lette pays heartfelt tribute to Barry Humphries on The Project

Kathy Lette paid a heartfelt tribute to her late friend Barry Humphries on Sunday by labelling him the most important comedian since Charlie Chaplin.

The author and comedian, 64, appeared on Channel Ten’s The Project to discuss Barry’s legacy and said the world will never see a comedian of his stature again.

‘He has left us an incredible legacy of laughter. We’ll never see his like again. To me he is the most brilliant comedian since Charlie Chaplin,’ she told host Sarah Harris.

‘Try to think of someone who has been more successful and hilarious. His whole condition was to be hilarious,’ she added.

Kathy went on to reveal she visited Barry in hospital shortly before his death and said he had the ward gasping in fits of laughter.

Kathy Lette (pictured) paid a heartfelt tribute to her late friend Barry Humphries on Sunday by labelling him the most important comedian since Charlie Chaplin

‘Barry didn’t have any self-pity. When you visited him his one concern was making you and the nurses laugh, he was joking about how the grim reaper was there.’

Humphries, who died at 89 on Saturday from complications following hip surgery, was renowned for creating several iconic characters including Dame Edna Everage and Les Patterson.

The comedian passed away at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years, Lizzie Spender.

The author and comedian, 64, appeared on Channel Ten’s The Project to discuss Barry’s legacy and said the world will never see a comedian of his stature again

Barry Humphries (pictured) passed away at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years, Lizzie Spender

For weeks the comic had brushed aside concerns about the seriousness of his condition, but on Saturday before midday a spokesperson confirmed he had died.

Humphries tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in February and underwent surgery at St Vincent’s where he was readmitted this week.

​’​He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,’ his family said in a statement.​

Dame Edna Everage remains Humphries’ most identifiable invention, who became internationally recognisable over the decades.

The beloved character began life as a Melbourne housewife in the 1950s and was known for lilac permed hair, outlandish cat-eye glasses and garish gowns.

‘He has left us an incredible legacy of laughter. We’ll never see his like again. To me he is the most brilliant comedian since Charlie Chaplin,’ she told host Sarah Harris

Dame Edna Everage remains Humphries’ most identifiable invention, who became internationally recognisable over the decades