Rik Mayall dies, aged 56

[iamthedoctor]

 

The British comedy icon - best known for his roles in The Young Ones, Bottom and The New Statesman - passed away today (June 9), his management company has confirmed.

 

A statement from Mayall's management, Brunskill, said: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning.

"We will be issuing a further statement in the fullness of time."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said officers were called by London Ambulance Service to a house in Barnes, south-west London at around 1.20pm, where "a man, aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene". He added that the death is not believed to be suspicious.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman also stated that they had been called to the house at 12.07pm.

Mayall began his career on stage in the late 1970s with long-term comedy partner Adrian Edmondson, who he had met at the Victoria University of Manchester.

Together with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson and Alexei Sayle, Mayall and Edmondson were part of The Comic Strip, first a live troupe, then later the team behind The Comic Strip Presents... series of short films on Channel 4.

 

Among Mayall's stage characters was anarchist poet Rick, a role he later reprised opposite Edmondson, Planer, Sayle and Christopher Ryan as part of The Young Ones.

Edmondson and Mayall reunited on screen in the 1990s for Bottom, which enjoyed three BBC Two series and several stage shows.

Mayall was seriously injured in a quad bike accident in 1998 and was left in a coma for several days.

He returned to work with a guest role in that year's Jonathan Creek Christmas Special. He continued to work until recently.

Mayall is survived by his wife Barbara Robbins, who he married in 1985, and their three children Rosie, Sidney and Bonnie.

 

[Big Pete®]

Loved watching re-plays of bottom when I was a nipper.

[twiggadoodledoo]

Fred finally dropped dead I guess...

Sorry for the poor joke ! The guy was a legend, shame to hear he died sill young ! R.I.P.

[UndertakerWLF]

Loved watching re-plays of bottom when I was a nipper.

 

 

Me too,  I own the boxed set. I was rather hoping that they would reunite for a new series.. I still love the episode 'S Out' and the whole wombles scenario lol. Pure genius!

 

RIP Rik