COMEDIAN and former King’s School Worcester student Rik Mayall has died at the age of 56, it has been announced.
Mayall, who was born in Essex but grew up in Droitwich, was best known for comedy creations Richie in Bottom and Rick in The Young Ones. He also appeared as Lord Flashheart in several episodes of Blackadder.
He was also responsible for creating Redditch investigative journalist Kevin Turvey and starred in the 1982 mockumentary Kevin Turvey – The Man Behind The Green Door in which he searches out scoops around the borough and is pictured surveying the ring road, in front of the Headless Cross water tower and on the pitch at the Valley Stadium.
Mayall was no stranger to Worcestershire having attended the independent school until the age of 18, performed at the Norbury Theatre and on one occasion toured the streets of Malvern as sleazy politician Alan B’stard, a character he played in The New Statesman.
He was also given an honorary degree at Worcester University in November, 2007.
Further details about Mayall’s death have yet to be released.
