Rik Mayall funeral takes place in Devon

Some of the biggest names in British comedy came together in a Devon village today for the funeral of Rik Mayall. The pall bearers included his friend Ade Edmondson, who starred with Rik in The Young Ones.

Alan Rickman and Devon-based Peter Richardson, the creator of the Comic Strip, were among those who spoke at the service.

Rik's family asked fans for their 'thoughts and prayers' as his life was remembered. Duncan Sleightholme reports.

The funeral of Rik Mayall has taken place at St George's Church in Dittisham in Devon. The star's former colleagues came to say farewell, including Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ade Edmondson, Ben Elton, Ruby Wax, Alan Rickman and Peter Richardson.

The comic and actor, who had a home in Devon, collapsed and died at home in London last week. Today's private funeral is to be followed by a memorial service in September.

Among the mourners in Devon for the funeral of Rik Mayall is his former colleague, Dawn French. She told ITV News that he was one of the funniest people ever, who was lost too soon.

Rik Mayall's funeral takes place in Devon this afternoon as his widow Barbara asks fans to "join us in thoughts and prayer at this time".

"Thank you again for all your love and support to all our family, it brings great strength," she said

The comic and actor, who had a home in Devon, collapsed at home in southwest London after what his widow described as an "acute cardiac event".

Mayall shot to fame playing poetry-writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones and his career also included roles such as Lord Flashheart in Blackadder and the conniving Conservative MP Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman.

A post-mortem examination into the death of comedian Rik Mayall have proved inconclusive.

The 56-year-old actor who had a home in Devon received a doctorate at Exeter University in 2008.

He was best known for his role in the sitcoms "The Young Ones" and "Bottom".

He died at his home in London on Tuesday.

A close friend of comedian Rik Mayall has told ITV News he was a larger than life character who will be missed by millions. It's still unclear what caused the death of the 56-year-old actor, who had a farmhouse at East Allington in Devon.

Legendary comic Rik Mayall died from a "seizure of some sort," his friend and Mayall's Comic Strip Presents colleague Peter Richardson has said.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today programme he said: "He was happily chatting away and it was very quick and we still don't quite know what happened but it was a seizure of some sort."

Read: Ade Edmondon's touchingly offensive tribute to Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall punched his friend in the balls here: Mayall gets fake plaque in Hammersmith

TV producer Nick Smith spent 10 years working with Rik Mayall on projects including a documentary on the legendary Comic Strip. Mr Smith, who lives near Totnes, spoke to our reporter Richard Lawrence about his memories of the late actor and comedian.

A fake blue plaque commemorating the late comedian Rik Mayall appeared in west London last night.

The circular sign, reading "Rik Mayall punched his friend in the balls on a bench near this spot" was attached to a barrier in Hammersmith, the Independent reported.

It was complete with a QR code which links users to a YouTube video of the opening titles to Mayall's sitcom Bottom.

The sequence shows Mayall punching co-star Ade Edmondson in the groin.

The 56-year-old died yesterday at his London home.

Read: Ade Edmondon's touchingly offensive tribute to Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall's daughter has paid tribute to her "generous, foul mouthed and hysterical father" after his death aged 56.

The star, who shot to fame playing poetry-writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones, was found dead at his home in London yesterday.

Writing on Facebook, Bonnie Mayall said: "My dad was loved not only by my family, but by many many others.

"We will never forget him and neither will the world.

"R.I.P to the man, the myth, the legend - my wonderful, generous, foul mouthed and hysterical father. My idol now and forever.

"We love you daddy."