"And I think that tells you something about Rik. He stole scenes because of his energy and his vibrancy and his comic performances and he was truly extraordinary."HKUE ENG

Mayall and Marsha Fitzalan as Alan and Sarah B'Stard in The New Statesman

Speaking about his 1998 quad bike accident last year, 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.

He used to mark the occasion by exchanging presents with his wife and children and said the near-death experience changed his life.

He said: "The main difference between now and before my accident is I'm just very glad to be alive ielts test date.

"Other people get moody in their 40s and 50s - men get the male menopause. I missed the whole thing. I was just really happy."

The BBC's director of television Danny Cohen called Mayall a "truly brilliant comedian".

"His comic timing was outstanding and his screen presence unique. For a generation of viewers he was a true comedy hero,"