To think Rik Mayal was the funniest person that ever lived?

[LouPeru]

Anyone else a massive fan and still gutted that he's gone? He's the only "celeb" I've ever been truly emotional about when he died 😞

Recently let my daughter watch drop dead fred. Normally hate the idea of her becoming an adult but introducing her to the works of Rik Mayall will be awesome!
Love him... Always thought I was odd in fancying the pants off him, even as Richie...

How old fot drop dead Fred then? Not seen it since I was a child

YANBU A truly funny person and a great performer. Rather dishy too at times, ooo-eerrrrr!

And yes Richie had a certain something beyond the gut and grease :o

I'm with you on this. I even wrote my dissertation on his work in comedy and how is shaped societies view on politic/social issues.

I agree OP. I love the clip of him when he notices he is being filmed.

I never remember that he has died so when I hear it again I still get an overwhelming sense of sadness.

I’m early thirties so some of his stuff was before my time but I bought drop dead Fred and the young ones on dvd and watched them over and over. I’m also pretty sure he voiced the baby in ‘how to be a little bastard’ which my brother and I used to watch and laugh until we cried when we were about 10 it 12.

He’s the only comedian I’ve seen do stand up who literally had me crying with laughter (and I’ve seen loads). Saw him in about 1990, kept looking for stand up tours after that but he didn’t do many. Still watch reruns of Bottom now!

*10 or 12.

He looks so young in that clip. Just seen a picture of him before he died and he was starting to look old.. I love them all, him, ade Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ben Elton. Think they're all an amazing group.

He was bit before my time really but I happened to meet him not knowing anything about him except that he was in Bottom.

He was very lovely and friendly to everyone and he spent absolutely ages taking funny pictures with my friend even though there was a crowd. (She was a massive fan.) Nothing was too much trouble for him. I remember that he seemed so genuine when he smiled and talked to everyone. Not false at all. He was a bit naughty though lol

I loved that camping episode.

I'm sorry he died so young.

I am so pleased to hear this. I assumed he would be. Good to know it's true.

Oh wow I forgot about drop dead Fred, I saw that as a kid, it was so great. I may have to watch this again!

He was talented and funny and clever yes, but the funniest comedian ever? No. Couldn't say who is though.... There are many. He is probably in the top 10 or 12 though.

I can't remember the last time I laughed at a comedian - certainly none of the current lot. Being ancient I would have to go back to Morecambe & Wise, the Two Ronnies and some of Billy Connelly's one man shows. I enjoyed The Office when it came out but nowadays think Ricky Gervais is a bit of a tit.

I quite enjoyed Alan B'Stard but to be honest thought that the Young Ones was puerile rubbish.

Absolutely loved him, he was amazing.

Lord Flashheart. The funniest funny thing ever!

I like him in almost every role but that, and (as a one-time foreigner) I enjoy most mainstream British comedy, but I am completely mystified as to why Lord Flashheart is funny. I literally use to wait in boredom and pain for his character to stop speaking to the program would start being funny again.

Of course the young ones is puerile rubbish. That is the point.
Oh cliff oh cljff
Sometimes it must be hard
Not to feel as if
You really are a cliff
When fascists keep trying to push you over it
Soooo deep and meaningful :)

I’m still genuinely gutted that he died.

Like someone said up thread, I forget and then get reminded - then get hit with what feels like real sorrow.

And yeah, I fancied Alan B’stard.

He was hilarious, and so sexy (and allegedly had an enormous willy). After he died we watched a documentary/tribute thing about him and they included his 5 mantras for life that he gave when he got his honorary doctorate. It makes me ugly cry.

5 mantras

i found him a bit puerile.

I'm sobbing at love is the answer. Too much wine for this

Loved Rik. When I was younger I wrote to him and he sent me this , a wee treat for you. I have this in pride of place in my house. I must have been about 11 at the time! He was one of the best, taken far too soon.

I found him puerile too. It's exactly why I love him so much. Used to watch Bottom when I was far far too young for it and loved it. What is funnier than a man smacking another man up the face with a frying pan? Nothing.

When my (much younger) brother was very ill about 5 or 6 years ago, we spent a lot of time together where all he could do was watch tv. I introduced him to The Young Ones and Bottom and it lifted his spirits so much. First time he'd properly laughed in months. It makes me sad I'll never get to tell Rik how much he helped my us both during that time.