I have incredibly fond memories of Rik Mayall. Bottom provided my first glimpse of “adult” humour as a kid growing up and from the first moment I ever set eyes on it, I was hooked. Over the years, I’ve acquired quite a “Bottom” collection and Richie and Eddie never failed to make me laugh. It was with incredible sadness today that I found out that Rik Mayall had passed away at home in Barnes, London this morning.
Even typing these few miserable words now, I find it hard to acknowledge the death of a man who has brought smiles and laughter to millions of people around the world. Countless tributes have been pouring in all day from the world of entertainment with everyone from Edgar Wright to John Landis offering their condolences through twitter.
John Landis tweeted "Very very sad to learn of Rik Mayall's passing. Frank Oz and I saw him and Adrian Edmondson at the Comic Strip while I was in pre-production on 'An American Werewolf in London' and they were extraordinary. He did not believe me at first when afterwards I offered him a part. I just remember how excited Rik was to be in a movie and how good he was even in such a small role. It was no surprise to me he went on to The Young Ones and a brilliant career. A great loss of a truly gifted man."
Rik will be sadly missed but at least there is lots and lots of memories, all of them hilarious and brilliant. May you rest in peace, you bastard!
