Comedian Rik Mayall, star of such beloved British TV comedies as Blackadder, The Young Ones and The New Statesman, has been found dead in his London home at the age of 56.
Mayall’s management company announced the news earlier today, after police were called to a house in the upscale suburb of Barnes. The star’s cause of death has not yet been released, but a spokesman said that there appear to be no suspicious circumstances.
The comedian, a fixture of grubby bootleg video tapes or YouTube clips, depending on how old you are, created some of the most indelible characters in British comedy.
He portrayed obnoxious would-be anarchist Rick in the student share house series The Young Ones, and slick, corrupt politician Alan B’Stard in The New Statesman.
One of his most memorable roles was in the dark ’90s comedy Drop Dead Fred, but to me, he’ll always be the amazing Lord Flashheart from Blackadder.
Mayall’s close friend and long-time writing partner Adrian Edmonson paid
tribute to the star. “There were times when Rik and I were writing
together when we almost died laughing,” he said.
“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!”
via ABC News
Picture: Steve Finn via Getty Images
