Claims Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is in an "unresponsive state" have been refuted by the Sydney hospital where he was re-admitted this week.
The ABC reported on Friday morning Mr Humphries was "unresponsive" at St Vincent's Hospital.
A reporter told ABC News Breakfast the information had come from his family.
But a short time later the hospital contradicted those reports.
It said the 89-year-old was awake, alert and "cracking jokes" with the nursing staff, according to entertainment reporter Peter Ford.
Mr Humphries was re-admitted to hospital on April 19 just days after being discharged, with complications from hip replacement surgery.
The family released a statement that evening praising the hospital for his care.
"Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and good wishes he's received, but would like more and more," they said.
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Breaking the news Mr Humphries had been hospitalised, Mr Ford revealed the comedian's health had worsened in the past week.
"These are complications from hip replacement surgery and has been going on for several months now," he told Sunrise.
"Things are tough and all we can do it at this time is give a big shoutout to to Barry Humphries and say Australia loves you."
Mr Humphries lives in London but was visiting Australia.
