Barry Humphries unimpressed by modern-day celebrity culture

Barry Humphries, best known as Dame Edna Everage, has said he is bored with the antics of celebrities like Kim Kardashian West.

During an interview with the Press Association, the Australian was asked what he thought of the reality TV star's penchant for nude selfies.

Humphries said: "I feel a little bored by it. All we see really is narcissism in these phony celebrities. In fact, I'd rather not be a celebrity."

The Melbourne-born comedian was speaking ahead of the broadcast of A Granny's Guide To The Modern World - an irreverent look at life as a pensioner in today's world.

The three-part Channel 4 series, presented by Humphries, sees a group of game senior citizens undertake a variety of investigative trials to find out if this generation can learn to fit into a world that prizes youth.

In the first episode, which will premiere on August 3, three elderly women visit Amsterdam to try marijuana for the first time.

Talking about the participants, Humphries said: "We have on this programme some wonderful old folk and they are all great comedians too.

"I haven't enjoyed myself more I think on any show."

The 82-year-old also said some aspects of 21st century living were not as appealing.

"I've always tried to preserve a liberal view until the producers of this programme asked me to drink a kale smoothie and to simultaneously listen to a form of music called grime."

He added: "I thought to myself, I'd really rather be in a nursery home having my meals pureed!"

Humphries, who first came to London in 1959, reflected on the changes in British society.

"(The) most negative thing is that the younger generation feel no need to add up in their heads, or spell or use correct grammar or good manners.

"If I were pregnant and a lady and I was in the underground, the only person who would stand up and offer their seat to me would be Polish or Eastern European.

"No English people do that any more."

The comedian said: "On the other hand, I'm quite determined to keep the generation gap. I think there's nothing worse than elderly people behaving in a sort of groovy way."