June 9th 2024.
It's hard to believe it's been ten long years since the world lost the one and only Rik Mayall. I still can't seem to wrap my head around it. In fact, as time goes on, I find myself missing his irreverent humor more than ever.
In the years since Rik's passing, I've come to learn that April 9th holds a special place in his family's heart. After his miraculous recovery from a near-fatal quad bike accident in 1998, Rik famously referred to it as "Crap Thursday." The crash occurred the day before Good Friday, and he remained in a coma until Easter Monday. He would joke that he "beat Jesus" by being dead for five days before coming back to life.
But for me, June 9th, 2014 will forever be known as "S**t Monday." I was on my way back from a bachelorette party, blissfully unaware of the hangover that was about to hit me. And then I read the news that Rik Mayall had suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I burst into tears, feeling a level of sorrow that I never thought possible from a celebrity's death.
The outpouring of love for Rik was immense. Friends and family were reaching out, knowing how much he meant to me. Of course, my thoughts were also with his own family - his wife Barbara and their three children Rosie, Sid, and Bonnie.
I've been a fan of Rik Mayall's work for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was captivated by his portrayal of classic Brothers Grimm tales in "Grim Tales." "Drop Dead Fred" quickly became my favorite movie, and I lost count of how many times I watched it. And then came "Bottom" in 1991 - a live-action cartoon that my brother and I couldn't get enough of, even though we were probably too young to be watching it.
Rik's work had a huge impact on me, and I was inspired to pursue a career in comedy. I've spent countless hours studying "Bottom," co-hosting a podcast about it, and even co-authoring a book on the subject. Rik Mayall was, without a doubt, the finest comic actor of his generation.
Despite his larger-than-life persona, Rik was a humble man at his core. He was grateful for the opportunity to bring laughter to others, and it was a gift that he shared with unrelenting enthusiasm. I was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions, and each time, he left a lasting impression. He was generous with his time, always making you feel special. And he never failed to deliver a good laugh, whether it was with a life-affirming hug or a cheeky joke.
Some may view his behavior as inappropriate, but that was part of Rik's charm. He was so delightfully outrageous, and it was welcomed in a way that's hard to explain to someone who didn't experience it firsthand.
Despite his absence, Rik's legacy lives on. New generations are discovering his work and falling in love with his unique brand of humor. And every year on June 9th, fans around the world come together to celebrate his life and share their favorite Rik clips, memes, and memories.
So no, I'll never be "over" Rik's death. And I don't want to be. Because as long as we continue to share his laughter, he'll never truly be gone. So today, and every day, let's honor Rik Mayall by sharing a laugh whenever we can.
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