Rik Mayall dies aged 56
Comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died aged 56.
His management company, Brunskil Management, told the Press Association that Mayall, who shot to fame playing Rick in The Young Ones alongside Adrian Edmonson, died this morning.
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 enermous 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.”
One of comedy’s best loved stars, Mayall is perhaps best remembered for his TV work alongside Edmonson, including The Young Ones, Bottom and Comic Strip Presents.
Mayall also starred in two series of Blackadder as Lord Flasheart, ITV’s The New Statesmen and, of course, Drop Dead Fred.
Most recently he played Greg Davies’ father in the Channel 4 sitcom Man Down, a comedy based on Davies’ own life.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, and their three children.
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