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Rik Mayall dead: The Young Ones and Blackadder comedian and actor dies aged 56 Rik Mayall dead: The Young Ones and Blackadder actor dies aged 56
(35 minutes later)
The comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died this morning at the age of 56, his agent has confirmed. The comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died this morning at the age of 56, his agent confirmed.
Born in Essex and raised in Worcester, Mayall starred alongside Adrian Edmonson in The Young Ones and went on to appear in Bottom, The New Statesman and as Flashheart in Blackadder.Born in Essex and raised in Worcester, Mayall starred alongside Adrian Edmonson in The Young Ones and went on to appear in Bottom, The New Statesman and as Flashheart in Blackadder.
He was left seriously ill after a quad bike accident in 1998 which left him in a coma for several days, but was working until recently. A spokeswoman confirmed that the actor died at his home in London. He was left seriously ill after a quad bike accident in 1998 which left him in a coma for several days, but was working until recently. A spokeswoman said that the actor died at his home in London.
Police said they were called by the London Ambulance Service to a house in Barnes, south-west London where "a man, aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene", but added that the death was not believed to be suspicious.
Mayall and Edmonson met at Manchester University, and formed an on-stage duo known as The Dangerous Brothers. They found fame with The Young Ones in two six-part series running from 1982 to 1984.Mayall and Edmonson met at Manchester University, and formed an on-stage duo known as The Dangerous Brothers. They found fame with The Young Ones in two six-part series running from 1982 to 1984.
Playing an obnoxious, would-be anarchist called Rick, Mayall contributed to the rise of alternative TV comedy throughout the 1980s.Playing an obnoxious, would-be anarchist called Rick, Mayall contributed to the rise of alternative TV comedy throughout the 1980s.
The pair revived their collaboration in the early 1990s with the slapstick and schoolboy comedy Bottom, before Mayall made a number of memorable cameos in the BBC series Blackadder.The pair revived their collaboration in the early 1990s with the slapstick and schoolboy comedy Bottom, before Mayall made a number of memorable cameos in the BBC series Blackadder.
Appearing alongside Rowan Atkinson in the second and fourth series as the lecherous Lord Flashheart, he crashed into scenes shouting catchphrases such as "Woof!" and "Let's do it!".Appearing alongside Rowan Atkinson in the second and fourth series as the lecherous Lord Flashheart, he crashed into scenes shouting catchphrases such as "Woof!" and "Let's do it!".
In 1998, Mayall had to be kept alive on a life-support machine for five days following an accident involving a quad bike.In 1998, Mayall had to be kept alive on a life-support machine for five days following an accident involving a quad bike.
Speaking about the incident last year, the comedian said doctors were about to turn it off the machine when he began to show signs of life.Speaking about the incident last year, the comedian said doctors were about to turn it off the machine when he began to show signs of life.
He used to mark the occasion every year by exchanging presents with his wife and children and said the near-death experience changed his life.He used to mark the occasion every year by exchanging presents with his wife and children and said the near-death experience changed his life.
He said: "The main difference between now and before my accident is I'm just very glad to be alive.He said: "The main difference between now and before my accident is I'm just very glad to be alive.
"Other people get moody in their forties and fifties - men get the male menopause. I missed the whole thing. I was just really happy.""Other people get moody in their forties and fifties - men get the male menopause. I missed the whole thing. I was just really happy."
Mayall's management, Brunskill, issued a statement today saying: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning."Mayall's management, Brunskill, issued a statement today saying: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning."
It said that Mayall's family would be given time before a further statement is released in due course.It said that Mayall's family would be given time before a further statement is released in due course.
Rik Mayall as Drop Dead Fred in 1991 One of Mayall's first appearances on TV after his quad bike accident was as DI Gideon Pryke in Jonathan Creek, a role he reprised in 2013.
Other notable characters included the feckless investigative journalist Kevin Turvey and the conniving Conservative MP Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman, who also reappeared as an under-fire New Labour MP in 2006.
At the time Mayall said: "Alan B'Stard is a national treasure because he always comes to the nation's health when the nation needs cleansing.
"Alan B'Stard got rid of Margaret Thatcher and will get rid of Tony Blair," he added.
Among those paying tribute today was the Blackadder producer John Lloyd, who said Mayall was "just extraordinary".Among those paying tribute today was the Blackadder producer John Lloyd, who said Mayall was "just extraordinary".
He told BBC News: "It's really a dreadful piece of news. He told the BBC: "It's really a dreadful piece of news.
"I remember going to the very first night of the Comedy Store and thinking 'Where does this come from?'."I remember going to the very first night of the Comedy Store and thinking 'Where does this come from?'.
"It was the most extraordinary thing, him and Ade Edmondson doing the Dangerous Brothers, they were called, and you just felt you were in the presence of something, a whole revolutionary thing.""It was the most extraordinary thing, him and Ade Edmondson doing the Dangerous Brothers, they were called, and you just felt you were in the presence of something, a whole revolutionary thing."
Rik Mayall as Kevin Turkey in 'A Kick Up the Eighties', 1981 The actress Helen Lederer, who appeared alongside Mayall in The Young Ones, tweeted: "Rik Mayall, I loved you. Gutted. The man who taught me not to crash laughs, has crashed. Real love to wife, children. Massive loss."
BBC director of television Danny Cohen said: "Rik Mayall was a truly brilliant comedian.BBC director of television Danny Cohen said: "Rik Mayall was a truly brilliant comedian.
"His comic timing was outstanding and his screen presence unique. For a generation of viewers he was a true comedy hero.""His comic timing was outstanding and his screen presence unique. For a generation of viewers he was a true comedy hero."
Mayall is survived by his wife, Barbara, and three children.Mayall is survived by his wife, Barbara, and three children.