BARRY HUMPHRIES - HUMPHRIES: 'I PUNCHED A PHOTOGRAPHER'

Veteran comedian BARRY HUMPHRIES has admitted hitting a photographer who followed him from a cafe in Sydney, Australia. Humphries - best known for his alter-ego DAME EDNA EVERAGE - punched the freelance paparazzo when he became annoyed at being goaded after leaving Double Day's Dee Bee's cafe, according to his publicist SUZIE HOWIE. Howie says Humphries, 72, was irritated when the photographer, MALCOLM LADD, followed him from the cafe as he tried to drive to a nearby beach. Ladd had just taken pictures of Humphries eating with musical director ANDREW ROSS. She says, "I can confirm to you that Barry did hit him. He was obviously very upset." A spokeswoman for New South Wales police confirms they have not received a complaint from Ladd, who is thought to have sold his pictures to Sydney newspapers.