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DROITWICH comedy star Rik Mayall has died at the age of 56.
The Young Ones star and writer suffered a serious head injury 16 years ago when he was discovered unconscious after a quad bike he was riding toppled on top of him at his country home in Devon in 1998.
After being in a coma for five days with what doctors feared would be permanent brain damage, the star recovered.
The father-of-three had to take medication to stave off seizures from then on, and was admitted back to hospital a year later for further tests after he had the accident in a steep, rain-soaked field at his farm, but up until recently was still working.
He moved to Droitwich when he was three-years-old with his three siblings and performed in the spa town’s Norbury Theatre in productions written by his drama teacher parents, John and Gillian Mayall.
By some residents of Droitwich, Rik has been considered one of Droitwich’s finest exports.
The Bottom comedian also got his hometown mentioned in the first episode of Blackadder 2nd, titled ‘Bells’: “Father: Kate, for the final time, your mother is not dead. She’s run off with your uncle Henry.
“Kate: Dear father, I know you only say such things to comfort me.
“Father: Your mother is alive and well and living in Droitwich.”
Dozens of residents from the town took to Twitter to offer their tributes to the former King’s School pupil.
Jack Nicholls said: “Rik Mayall was also the most notable man to come from my home town of Droitwich, and got it a mention in Blackadder II episode ‘Bells’.”
Hayward Wright wrote: “Comedian and actor Rik Mayall dies - sad news local comedian lived in Droitwich and went to King’s School.”
Several users of the social network site, including Jack O’Brien, dubbed him “one of Droitwich’s favourite sons”, and Carol Ross said the town, where he spent his childhood after being born in Essex, would remember him always.
Another local, Andy Willetts, wrote: “Gutted to hear about Rik Mayall. He was a fantastic comic actor and a Droitwich lad to boot.”
Also on Twitter, @amarakate tweeted: “Droitwich is proud to have had you as one of us once upon time. RIP Rik Mayall, comedy legend.”
The death of the actor is not thought to be suspicious.
- Do you have any memories of Rik Mayall? Leave a comment below or email us here.
Rik Mayall story from my old chemistry teacher in Worcester. He snaffled chemicals out of lab, walked across playground, trousers set fire.
— Toby Moody (@TobyMoody) June 9, 2014
News of Rik Mayall's death has made me really sad. Went to my school, I grew up watching everything he made. RIP Rik
— Drew Benvie (@drewb) June 9, 2014
Rik Mayall, fellow Kings School Worcester Alumni, RIP
— Alex Humpage (@alhumpage) June 9, 2014
RIP Worcestershire legend Rik Mayall. I met him once in Worcester hospital, lovely bloke and was always very talented....
— Dan Johnson (@danjohnson_wcfc) June 9, 2014
Absolutely gutted about Rik Mayall. A worcester legend who was so talented and loved life so much :(
— Claire Massey (@clairey_bears) June 9, 2014
You bastard! RIP Rik Mayall, a Droitwich lad who made the world laugh.
— Nik Owen Jones (@blueshiftuk) June 9, 2014
Droitwich is proud to have had you as one of us once upon time. RIP Rik Mayall, comedy legend.
— Mars (@amarakate) June 9, 2014
http://t.co/1mx4bfB39J Comedian and actor Rik Mayall dies - sad news local comedian lived in Droitwich and went to Kings School.
— Hayward Wright (@HaywardWright) June 9, 2014
R.I.P Rik Mayall. One of Droitwich's favourite sons.
— Jack O'Brien (@JackOBrien89) June 9, 2014
Rik Mayall was also the most notable man to come from my home town of Droitwich, and got it a mention in Blackadder II episode "Bells"
— Jack Nicholls (@Jack_Nicholls) June 9, 2014
RIP Rik Mayall? Surely not...that's tragic. Former Droitwich High School pupil and performer at Norbury Theatre.What a sad day.
— John Connor (@bootleian) June 9, 2014
Rik Mayall has died. Bloody Hell. That's given me a massive sad face. The man responsible for getting #Droitwich mentioned in #Blackadder.
— Mike Peters (@djmikepeters) June 9, 2014
The newsroom has had a real chuckle looking back through our files. Here meeting our chief photographer John Anyon. pic.twitter.com/4lAM3CkDL0
— Stephanie Preece (@stephpreeceWN) June 9, 2014
And finally...one which probably won't make the paper! He had our reporters and photographer in stiches that day. pic.twitter.com/kuIVJRd4at
— Stephanie Preece (@stephpreeceWN) June 9, 2014
Rik Mayall lived in the house 2 doors from me for his entire childhood, hes a legendary part of droitwich, so sad. RIP 💜
— piper chapman (@kait_mirandah) June 10, 2014
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