Barry Humphries state memorial LIVE updates: Who’s Who of political and celebrity worlds attend service at the Sydney Opera House – with a special message from King Charles

Showbiz TV reporter Richard Wilkins is hosting the star-studded memorial service at Sydney Opera House which is now underway – and he warned anyone turning up late: ‘He’ll still find a way to get you…’

King Charles III is among those to pay tribute to comedian Barry Humphries in a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House.

A message from the King will be read by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at the service on Friday, followed by a video tribute from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Sir Elton John, Rupert Murdoch, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Walliams and Bruce Beresford, are also among those to offer their tributes.

The comedy legend, best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died in Sydney on April 22, at the age of 89.

Humphries’ extraordinary international career, spanning seven decades, will also be remembered by family, friends and fans.

His death, following complications from surgery, sparked an outpouring of tributes for the treasured national icon at home and abroad.

Humphries, who lived in London for decades, returned to Sydney in December last year, where he suffered a fall requiring a hip replacement.

He died in St Vincent’s Hospital as a result of complications following the operation.

Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for more than half a century with his cavalcade of grotesques, presented in a unique blend of old-style music hall and contemporary satire.

Among them were the gross Sir Les Patterson, Australia’s ‘cultural attache to the Court of St James’ and the melancholy and rambling Sandy Stone.

Dame Edna picked out ‘possums’ from her audience and made them squirm, her appearances ending with a blizzard of ‘gladdies’

She was a huge critical and popular success.

Humphries continued touring up until the last year of his life and was ‘an entertainer to his core’ who brought laughter to millions.

John Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934.

The two-hour memorial event is being co-hosted by the Australian and NSW governments and begins at 11am.

Oscar Humphries with his children

Oscar Humphries with his children

Guests dressed as Dame Edna Everage attend the State Memorial for Barry Humphries

John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia and his wife Janette Howard

Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia and his wife Lucy Hughes Turnbull

Barrister Geoffrey Robertson

TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley

A lifelong Barry Humphries fan has gone all out to pay homage to the beloved Australian entertainer’s decades long career.

Robin Waerea travelled with fellow super fan Jurgen Hoffman to Sydney Opera House where the state memorial is being held for the iconic performer on Friday at 11am.

There was an outpouring of grief across Australia after Humphries died in Sydney on April 22 after complications for hip surgery

Both Mr Waerea and Mr Hoffman secured tickets to the major memorial as soon as they were available.

Ms Waerea chose to pay tribute to Humphries’ iconic character Dame Edna Everage.

The pair were taking photos on the Opera House steps before Friday’s state memorial, with Mr Waerea earning the approval of Humphries’ wife Elizabeth Spender.

‘Barry’s wife just ran up the steps to take a photo of Robin, so that was really nice,’ said Mr Hoffman.

‘She said Barry would have been really proud, or that he would have been thrilled, and asked us three times: ‘Do you have tickets?”

Mr Waerea said he’s been dressing up as Edna for the past 30 years, inspired by her ability to ‘make people smile’.

‘This is my way of showing respect to her today.’

Mr Hoffman and Mr Waerea attended the service with a photo of Dame Edna signed by the late Humphries himself.

Mr Hoffman said he loved Humphries for his ‘range of characters,’ as well as the comedy shows and stage productions he put on.

‘I’ve dress up as Sir Les Patterson a couple of times,’ he said.

Mr Waerea will be joining a long list of celebrities and dignitaries paying tribute to Humphries, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

Mr Minns described Humphries as ‘one of the nation’s greatest ever comedians’.

‘He was a true master of his craft, and his legacy will continue to live on through the unforgettable characters he brought to life on stage and screen,’ he said when announcing the service in May.

‘The Sydney Opera House is a fitting location for what promises to be a memorable send-off given the venue’s significance in Australian arts, culture and entertainment.’

Performances from the renowned comedian will be featured in the televised service alongside the tributes. Humphries enjoyed a seven-decade career with his work as an actor, poet, musician and artist known around the world.