Rik Mayall Mourned By Stars At Devon Funeral

The stars of alternative comedy were out in force to mourn Rik Mayall at his funeral earlier today.
 
Ade Edmondson, his on-stage partner since they met at Manchester University in the 1970s, was one of the coffin-bearers at the private funeral held in Dittisham, Devon.
 
Mayall arrived at the picturesque village church in wicker coffin laden with flowers.

 The actor died suddenly last week aged 56. The post-mortem revealed he had died from a heart attack, described as “an acute cardiac event” following his regular morning run.
 
Mayall and Edmondson rose to fame in the alternative comedy scene of the early 1980s, performing as a double-act and as solo comedians at London’s legendary Comedy Store.

Alexei Sayle, the Comedy Store compere of the time, was present at the funeral along with other contemporaries Peter Richardson, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.
 
Ben Elton, Ruby Wax, and Rik’s ‘The Young Ones’ co-star Nigel Planer were also at the private service.
 
A memorial event for the star is expected to be held in September.