Rik Mayall Dead At 56

Legendary British TV comedian Rik Mayall has died, his manager tells the BBC.

No information has been released about his cause of death.

Mayall is best known for helping to revolutionise television comedy with his performances in ‘The Young Ones’, ‘Bottom’ and ‘Blackadder’.

He most recently starred as the lead character’s kooky father in last year’s Channel 4 show, ‘Man Down’.
On the big screen, he starred in ‘Drop Dead Fred’ and alongside frequent collaborator Adrian Edmondson in ‘Guest House Paradiso’.

He previously survived an almost-fatal quad bike accident in 1998 which left him with neurological injuries.

The Harlow-born actor was also a celebrated writer as well, co-scripting ‘The Young Ones’ alongside Ben Elton and Lise Mayer on top of playing desperate wannabe Rik.

Having broken through at the Comedy Store in the Eighties at the same time as fellow ‘Comic Strip Presents…’ alumni Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, he went on to personify the alternative comedy scene.

Mayall has three children by make-up artist Barbara Robbin, who he married in 1985.

There was an outpouring of genuine sadness for his passing from famous faces on Twitter.

Fellow comedian Jack Dee said: “So shocked to hear about Rik Mayall. A wonderfully funny icon of British comedy.”

Film director Edgar Wright wrote: “Shocked & saddened that a comedy hero is gone; for those who grew up on 'The Young Ones', Rik Mayall was one of funniest performers ever”, while Times columnist Caitlin Moran said: “Just had to write Rik Mayall's obituary for tomorrow's Times. Cried like a baby all the way through.”

‘The IT Crowd’ star Chris O’Dowd said: “Very sad to hear about Rik Mayall's passing. 'Bottom' was a huge part of my youth. Even his single tweet was funny.”

He was referring to Mayall’s only entry on the social network, which said: “Opening my very own Twitter to stop another b***ard doing it. So f**k off & don’t expect to hear from me anytime soon. Love Rik X”.