Essex-born comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died at the age of 56, it was confirmed by his management today (June 9).
The former Young Ones and Bottom star, who was born in Matching Tye near Harlow, was best known for his partnership with Adrian Edmondson and his over the top portrayal of characters.
Mayall's acting debut was at the age of seven when he appeared in one of his father's stage plays.
He went on to the Victoria University of Manchester in 1976 to study drama, where he befriended his future comedy partner Ade Edmondson.
He also met Ben Elton and Lise Mayer, with whom he later co-wrote The Young Ones.
Mayall later hit the big screen in comedy films Drop Dead Fred and Guest House Paradiso.
In 1998, he was left seriously ill after a quad bike accident left him in a coma for several days.
Mayall was last seen in sitcom Man Down, playing the father of a character played by Greg Davies.
He leaves a wife, Barbara, and three children - Rosie, 27, Sid, 25, and Bonnie, 20.
Twitter users posted their tributes and their favourite shows in their thousands this afternoon:
@Essex_Chronicle Has to be the young ones, pushed the boundaries of comedy, parents hated it, so it must've been good! #RIPRik
— Steve Thomas (@tommoofessex) June 9, 2014@Essex_Chronicle Bottom was my fave but I also loved his appearances in Blackadder. Will miss his comedy genius, RIP & thanks for the laughs
— M6MDR (@M6MDR) June 9, 2014