Dame Edna: 'Approaching 70... from the wrong direction'

Dame Edna Everage, who first appeared on the London stage half a century ago, has embarked on her farewell tour.

The character, created by Barry Humphries, told the Today programme's John Humphrys: "I'm not touring anymore, I'm never doing it again - well, not for a year or two."

She added: "You can have a second farewell show, can't you?"

Dame Edna added that she was still "full of energy", even though she is "approaching 70 - unfortunately from the wrong direction".

She joked that once the tour is over she will miss "the wild applause... and the large sums of money".

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday 23 December 2013.