The Young Ones Star Rik Mayall Dead

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RIK MAYALL star of cult comic fan fave THE YOUNG ONES and DROP DEAD FRED – dead at 56.

Despite surviving a nasty quad bike accident in 1998 Mayall recovered and worked steadily on UK TV.

Mayall found fame on this side of the pond when the BBC anarchistic omedy “The Young Ones” ran for several years on MTV.

Mayall starred with Adrian Edmonson about rebel students revolting in Thatcher-era England.

He’s also known for a recurring part on the Rowan Atknson series “Black Adder” depicting various incarnations of the same character Lord Flashheart.

He also toplined with then budding ingénue Phoebe Cates as her imaginary friend/fiend in the 80's comedy “Drop Dead Fred” and provided voices for video games and the film “Watership Down”.

The BBC reported that Mayall died suddenly at his home.

Metropolitan Police said the death was not believed to be suspicious. He is survived by his wife Barbara and three children.