Following on from the Rik Mayall post earlier, my special memory of Rik

When I was in my teens I saw him do a Noel Coward play “Present Laughter” at the Theatre Royal, Brighton. I was a big fan of Rik from Bottom, Young Ones, Blackadder and just generally.

At the performance I attended, Rik lost his way with the text (this was post quad-bike accident) and loudly shouted “f***” in frustration. For reference, this was a gentle Noel Coward comedy…

So I went to the stage door after the performance and waited for him to go come out, hopefully for an autograph or a picture (or both) and he came out and threw his hands up and said “sorry for the little f*** up… ooops, sorry, did it again”.

He was “on” the second he came out and saw his adoring fans waiting politely for him to appear. Took time with everyone, made jokes, was Rik from the screen and stage right in front of you. Couldn’t stand still, jiggling and hopping.

Anyway I had a new colour printer at home, and printed off a few headshots I got online on glossy paper I bought from money from my paper round.

I asked him for an autograph and he grabbed the picture and asked where I got it (I explained I found it on the internet and printed it off) and he said something about his agent. I think it was “wait until my agent hears about this”.

He signed both (A4 fresh out of my family home printer) with “Rik Mayall” and a big copyright sign just below.

Happily posed for pictures with everyone (including me) while his driver waited.

Miss you Rik. The people’s poet.