Support NeoGAF

[Rich!]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30018809

A roadside bench matching the one that featured in the opening credits of BBC sitcom Bottom is due to be officially unveiled in London on Friday.

It follows an online campaign by fans after the death of Rik Mayall.

The show's star said shortly before he died in June that he was sad to see the bench had been removed.

Now after a petition by 7,000 fans, Hammersmith Council has replaced it, with the inscription "In Memory of The Man, The Myth, The Legend".

Mayall, who was 56 when he died, had appeared in a string of hit TV comedies, including The Young Ones, Blackadder and The New Statesman and also starred in the movies Drop Dead Fred and Guest House Paradiso.

Fans who had campaigned for the return of the "Bottom bench" will be among those at the official unveiling later.

The opening credits of the cult BBC series show Mayall and his co-star Adrian Edmondson bickering and then attacking each other on the original bench.

The idea of having a memorial on that spot was inspired by a BBC interview, in which Rik Mayall described his disappointment upon discovering that the bench had been removed.

excellent.

 

[Masquerader]

Can't wait to punch someone in the balls on it.

 

[dan2026]

Still cant believe Rik Mayall is gone.
Doesn't feel right.

 

[Rich!]

Still cant believe Rik Mayall is gone.
Doesn't feel right.

He's not gone, he'll always be here. We can forever watch Blackadder, Bottom and The Young Ones and enjoy his talent, and that will never be taken away from us.

 

[Dirtyshubb]

What a nice story to ready, great news!

Still makes me sad to think that Rik is gone. His death was a real shock and probably the only celeb death that affected me. Bottom and the Young Ones were a staple of my families comedy and helped shape our humor so to us he was a hero.

 

[Nokterian]

Awesome news way to young when he died but he will live forever on with our favorite comedy series.

 

[Vaddon]

Great tribute, loved pretty much anything that Mayall was in. Such a talented actor. I always watch Blackadder and Bottom and he never fails to make me laugh. Still saddens me that he is no longer with us, his comedy is loved by my whole family. At least we'll always have the fantastic work that he left behind to enjoy.

 

[Jedeye Sniv]

Bottom is up there with Fawlty Towers and Blackadder for me in the holy triumvirate of Britcoms. This story makes me really happy.

 

[StrongArmSteady]

RIP in Peace Rik

 

[Nokterian]

I miss this man so mutch Gasman Frying Pan Scene

 

[Currygan]

this is the right tribute to a true English comedy legend. I still feel depressed as hell when I think about it. Will stop there for a moment (and drink a glass of water) when I drive back home

 

[Vaddon]

I miss this man so mutch Gasman Frying Pan Scene

Man, this scene kills me (although the whole episode is a classic). Bottom's humour is absolutely perfect.

 

[glaurung]

Great tribute. Rik remains my favorite British comedy actor.

 

[Chuckie]

God, I still miss Rik, he was a fucking genius.

I love how hyper violent Bottom was.

 

[Vaddon]

Small bump but, in case anyone missed it, there was a programme on BBC 2 tonight called 'Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule'. It was a great tribute to Mayall, well worth watching on the iPlayer for any fans of his work.

 

[IdreamofHIME]

The Bottom Xmas special on any channel this year? (BBC/Digital)

Seems like it would be good tribute as it was always my favorite episode.