Comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died aged 56, his management has said.
Mayall was best-known for the TV shows 'The Young Ones' and 'Bottom', both of which he starred in alongside Adrian Edmondson.
He was also in several other programmes including 'The New Statesman', 'The Comic Strip Presents' and 'Blackadder'.
And he appeared on the big screen in films including 'Drop Dead Fred'.
One of his most recent roles was in the TV show 'Man Down', in which he played the father of a teacher whose girlfriend has left him.
Mayall was seriously ill after a quad bike accident in 1998 which left him in a coma for several days.
But he made a recovery and was working until recently.
Mayall said doctors had kept him alive on a life-support machine for five days and were about to turn it off when he began to show signs of life.
Speaking last year he said "The main difference between now and before my accident is I'm just very glad to be alive".
"Other people get moody in their forties and fifties - men get the male menopause. I missed the whole thing. I was just really happy".
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and three children.
Speaking in 2006, Rik said he had been grateful for the opportunities over the years.
Mayall started on stage in a duo, 'The Dangerous Brothers', with long-time collaborator Edmondson after they met at Manchester University.
Mayall found fame playing would-be anarchist Rick in 'The Young Ones' which ran from 1982 to 1984 in two six-part series.
The show featured anarchic, offbeat humour and it helped to bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980s.
The programme also featured Edmondson as punk Vyvyan, Nigel Planer as paranoid hippie Neil, and Christopher Ryan as shady Mike.
Mayall and Edmondson reprised their original act in the anarchic comedy 'Bottom'.
Here is a collection of Rik playing probably his best remembered role - as the over-the-top character 'Richie' in 'Bottom', opposite Adrian Edmondson.
And then there was this legendary Young Ones episode ft. 'the total and utter king of rock'n'roll' Cliff Richard.
Mayall made a one-off appearance on Twitter in 2010, and certainly made an impression with his one and only tweet:
Opening my very own Twitter to stop another bastard from doing it. So fuck off & don't expect to hear from me any time soon. Love Rik x
— Rik Mayall (@rikmayall) April 13, 2010
Among those paying tribute to Mayall was David Walliams, who said "I am heartbroken that my comedy idol growing up, Rik Mayall, has died. He made me want to be a comedian".
Impressionist Rory Bremner said "Oh no. Awful news about Rik Mayall - a fireball of creative comic energy and inspiration. Such brilliant raw talent".
A statement from Mayall's management, Brunskill, said "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning. "We will be issuing a further statement in the fullness of time".
Very sad to hear about Rik Mayall's passing. 'Bottom' was a huge part of my youth. Even his single tweet was funny. pic.twitter.com/iNePxzCy6X
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) June 9, 2014
Such sad news about Rik Mayall. Such a great comedian. Taken too soon x
— Rylan Ross Clark (@Rylan) June 9, 2014
