British actor and comedian Rik Mayall, best known for his appearances in BBC shows The Young Ones and Blackadder, has died aged 56.
”We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rick Mayall who passed away this morning,” said the actor’s manager, Geoff Stanton from Brunskill management.
”We are devastated and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.”
Brunskill did not give any cause of death, but said further details would be released soon.
Mayall had a serious quad bike accident in 1998, which left him in a coma for five days.
Known as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s, he appeared in numerous television shows and comedies, often featuring gratuitous, slapstick violence.
Between 1986 and 1992 he won a new audience playing the suave, treacherous politician Alan B’Stard in ITV’s The New Statesman.
Mayall’s long-time collaborator and friend Adrian Edmonson has paid tribute to him.
“Those were some of the most carefree, stupid days I ever had and I feel privileged to have shared them with him.”
Watch Mayall in The Young Ones
