Rik Mayall's funeral will take place on Thursday, his wife Barbara has announced. The late comedian and actor passed away last week from an "acute cardiac event" after he had been out for his morning jog. "Knowing the swell of love you all share with us we would like to let you, the fans, know that we will be having a private family funeral for Rik, as I am sure you will understand," said make-up artist Barbara.
© Photo: Getty ImagesRik Mayall
"We will be burying him at 2pm on Thursday, June 19 if you would like to join us in thoughts and prayer at this time," she added. "Thank you again for all your love and support to all our family, it brings great strength." A memorial service for Rik, who passed away aged 56, is expected to be held in September. The death of the late star came as a shock to his nearest and dearest, with Barbara adding that the family had been flooded with condolences from around the world. "We always knew that Rik was well loved but we are all overwhelmed by so many joining us in our grief," she said.
© Photo: Getty ImagesBarbara and Rik Mayall in 2004
Fellow actor Adrian Edmondson, who starred alongside Rik in programmes Bottom and The Young Ones, paid tribute to his old friend. "There were times when Rik and I were writing together when we almost died laughing," said Adrian. "They were some of the most carefree stupid days I ever had, and I feel privileged to have shared them with him." Since his 1980s comedy shows, Rik has more recently appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Jonathan Creek. Rik is survived by his wife Barbara, who he married in 1985, and the couple's three children Rosie, 28, Sidney, 26, and Bonnie Mayall, 19.
