A CARLISLE casting agent has paid tribute to actor Barry Humphries, who was best known for playing Dame Edna Everage, after his death at the weekend.

Phil McKay from Lakeside Casting Agency in Carlisle met the Late Dame Edna Everage Star Barry Humphries at the Port Street Theatre in San Francisco in 2009 while on holiday in the USA.

Phil said: "I wanted to see and meet Dame Edna Everage and see Edna’s live performance which I have to say was out of this world!

"The build up to the show just before Dame Edna came on stage was amazing and on entering the stage the comedy legend was armed with hundreds of gladioli, it was amazing, the audience was up standing and clapping, a reaction I'd never seen for an act before."

Phil was lucky enough to arrange a visit to the theatre and to meet the huge star due to his casting agency, and said the star didn't fail to impress.

After the show Dame Edna, (played by Australian Barry Humphries), invited Phil backstage for a chat about entertainment and to have a photo taken and signed a personal autograph.

Phil said: "I have worked and met many well know actors and performers over the years as a casting agent but Dame Edna has to be one of the greats".

Phil has said that he death of one of world’s greatest entertainers will be such a huge miss in the entertainment world and he is glad he got the chance to meet the comedy great.