Barry Humphries: Top comedy prize renamed after transgender row (BBC)

One of the world’s top comedy festivals will no longer use comedian Barry Humphries’ name for its chief prize, after he was accused of transphobia.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival said its prestigious Barry Award for best show would be renamed.

Humphries, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, has repeatedly drawn anger for his comments on transgender people – and later defended himself.

His remarks had “definitely played a part” in the change, the festival said. Read more