Rik Mayall Dies: Celebrities Pay Tribute to Comic Legend

Celebrities have taken to social media to express their shock and grief following the death of British actor and comedian Rik Mayall.

A spokesperson for the 56-year-old star, best known for his roles in Bottom and The Young Ones, said Mayall passed away this morning. No other details have been made available.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Blackadder producer John Lloyd said: "It's really a dreadful piece of news. I remember going to the very first night of the Comedy Store and thinking, 'Where does this come from?"

"It was the most extraordinary thing, him and Ade Edmondson doing The Dangerous Brothers, they were called, and you just felt you were in the presence of something, a whole revolutionary thing."

Such upsetting news about Rik Mayall. The Young Ones kept our family sane in the 80s. #RIP
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) June 9, 2014

RIP Rik Mayall. Hard to believe we've been robbed of such flair and comic force.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) June 9, 2014

Rik Mayall was just pure wiry, energetic, unpredictable humour poured into the shape of a human. You couldn't not watch him.
— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) June 9, 2014

RIP Rik Mayall. Thank you for making me laugh a million times. Woof.
— Chris Moyles (@ChrisMoyles) June 9, 2014

Oh no. Awful news about Rik Mayall- a fireball of creative comic energy and inspiration. Such brilliant raw talent. http://t.co/OdAJgjMgnu
— Rory Bremner (@rorybremner) June 9, 2014

Feel genuinely sad about Rik Mayall. Used to make me belly laugh when I was a kid watching The Young Ones.
— Antony Cotton (@antonycotton) June 9, 2014

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