Comedian and actor Rik Mayall died today at the age of 56, his management firm said. The West Country-based star, who shot to fame playing Rick in The Young Ones, also made memorable appearances in shows including Blackadder, Bottom and The New Statesman.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said officers were called by London Ambulance Service to a house in Barnes, south-west London at around 1.20pm where ''a man, aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene''.
The death is not believed to be suspicious, he added.
His death has been greeted with shock and great sadness with fellow entertainers, comedians and actors turning to twitter to pay tribute:
Rory Bremner said: "Oh no. Awful news about Rik Mayall - a fireball of creative comic energy and inspiration. Such brilliant raw talent."
British novelist Tony Parsons: "Rotten news about the death of Rik Mayall - decades too soon. He taught a generation to laugh at the world - and ourselves. Rik Mayall, RIP."
Charlie Brooker: "Watched the Young Ones obsessively as a teen. Transcribed each episode by hand because I wanted even more of it than actually existed … Rik Mayall was just pure wiry, energetic, unpredictable humour poured into the shape of a human. You couldn't not watch him."
Alan Davies: "So sad to hear about Rik Mayall.He was so great to be around on Jonathan Creek. Funny, funny man and a comic hero in my teens. Terrible news."
Stephen Merchant: "Deeply sad news about Rik Mayall. Bottom Live one of the highlights of my teenage years. RIP"
Eric Idle: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Rik Mayall. Far too young. A very funny and talented man."
Jack Dee: "So shocked to hear about Rik Mayall. A wonderfully funny icon of British comedy."
It is testament to his comedic genius that Rik will be remembered for a whole plethora of classic comedy creations: Rick in The Young Ones, Richie in Bottom, Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman, Lord Flashheart in Blackadder Goes Forth, any number of Comic Strip Presents characters, Richard Dangerous, Drop Dead Fred … the list goes on.
Personally, for what it is worth, I will cherish his performances as the narrator in ITV's children's programme Grim Tales or his reading of George's Marvellous Medicine on Jackanory – I swear every kid at our school went out and bought a copy of the Roald Dahl book following Rik's energetic telling of the macabre tale.
I guess for me, like many others, Rik brought many giggles to their childhood a point highlighted by Mighty Boosh star, Noel Feilding, who tweeted: "Growing up there was no one funnier! We will really miss you Rik Mayall you genius x"
