Rik Mayall

No! Rik Mayall's political campaigns

Rik Mayall won widespread acclaim for his portrayals of an anarchic left-wing student in The Young Ones and ruthless MP Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman. But he also stepped away from the fictional world for two successful political campaigns - preventing the UK from joining the Euro, and campaigning against the Alternative Vote system.

Unearthed interview with Rik Mayall about Harry Potter

An interview with the late Bottom actor. who was due to play poltergeist Peeves in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but his scenes were cut before the film hit cinemas.

Rik Mayall's daughter: The myth, the legend, my idol

The family of comedian Rik Mayall have posted moving tributes to him online, after his sudden death yesterday at the age of just 56.

Rik Mayall's 1979 debut at London's Comedy Store

Previously unseen pictures of comedy star Rik Mayall's debut on the London stage are published for the first time today.

Harry Enfield on Rik Mayall

Harry Enfield pays tribute to his "perfect, unrepeatable" hero.

Rik Mayall remembered by irreverent blue plaque

A makeshift blue plaque commemorating the late comic actor Rik Mayall has appeared in Hammersmith Broadway.

Rik Mayall: A goodbye to Lord Flashheart

After the news of Rik Mayall's death, one of the most fondly recalled moments has been his cameo as Lord Flashheart in Blackadder.

Alexei Sayle on Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall could make people laugh just by walking on stage and standing there.

In many ways the antithesis of BBC2's traditional "highbrow" output, The Young Ones' anarchic approach to comedy was an instant cult hit with younger audiences. It set the tone for the age of "alternative" comedy that still dominates today. The premise - four students who live in a bedsit - was traditional, but its structure, which included fragmented and often surreal storylines, random asides, the trashing of the set and sudden cuts to hamsters singing in a fridge, was energetic, punky and pioneering. Written (mostly) by Ben Elton and starring Adrian Edmondson (Vyvyan), Rik Mayall (Rick), Nigel Planer (Neil) and Christopher Ryan (Mick) - it also featured Alexei Sayle as landlord Mr Balowski.

Since light entertainment programmes were allocated bigger budgets than sitcoms, it was decided every episode would also feature a band. These bands - which included Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Madness - would perform songs which had no relevance to the plot.

Memorable scenes include Footlights versus Scumbag College in University Challenge; Vyvyan's head being cut off and then rolling along a train track still speaking; as well as the last shot of them all toppling over a cliff in a stolen double-decker bus.