Sad news for fans of British comedy and TV, Actor and comedian Rik Mayall of The Young Ones, Black Adder, The New Statesman and the movie Drop Dead Fred has passed away at the age of 56. Rik is mostly known for playing rick on The Young Ones, a would-be poet anarchist but I always enjoyed his performances on Black Adder whenever he popped up as Lord Flashheart.

British comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died aged 56, according to his manager.

He played the obnoxious, poetry-writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones alongside his friend, Adrian Edmonson.

The duo later went on to star in Bottom and he was also known for appearances in shows including Blackadder and The New Statesman.

He was left seriously ill after a quad bike accident in 1998 which left him in a coma for several days.
[BBC]