Artwork by ELUSIVE-ANGEL
BBC: British comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died aged 56. He played the obnoxious, poetry-writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones alongside his friend Adrian Edmondson. The duo later went on to star in the sitcom Bottom. A pioneer of the 1980s alternative comedy scene, Mayall also appeared in Blackadder and The New Statesman. His manager Roger Davidson said: “It is a terrible shock. All we know at this stage is that Rik died at home. “We are all deeply saddened by this news, from the enormous number of fans Rik had to those who worked with him and knew him as a man as well as a fine actor. “He touched many lives, and always for the better.” Edmondson added: “There were times when Rik and I were writing together when we almost died laughing. They were some of the most carefree stupid days I ever had, and I feel privileged to have shared them with him. “And now he’s died for real. Without me. Selfish bastard.” Mayall and Edmondson’s slapstick comedy often involved fires, explosions, and hefty blows to the head with a frying pan. MORE