Tuesday, June 10, 2014
RIP Rik
Foodie event of the year
VIP prize Alternative star: Rik Mayall, who found fame in The Young Ones and The New Statesman, has died at home at the age of 56 PICTURE: REX
Stars mourn Young Ones comic after his death at just 56 THE showbiz world was in mourning last night after actor and alternative comedy pioneer Rik Mayall died at the age of 56. Mayall, who starred in The Young Ones, Blackadder, The New Statesman and Bottom, passed away at his home in Barnes, south-west London, yesterday morning. It was believed the star was found by his wife, make-up artist Barbara Robbin, but paramedics were unable to save him. Last night, she said: ‘We don’t know yet what happened. He had a strong heart, so I don’t think it was a heart attack. ‘But we just don’t know until the coroner’s report. Maybe he had a fit, maybe it was his heart. We just don’t know.’ Mayall was best known for his comedy partnership with Adrian
by NICOLE LE MARIE Edmondson, whom he met at Manchester University. The pair went on to become one of the biggest comedy duos of the 1980s. On hearing of his friend’s death, Edmondson said: ‘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 b*****d.’ In 1989, Mayall was critically injured in a quad bike crash, which left him in a coma for several days. Speaking about the accident
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