Ben Elton welcomes Rik Mayall comedy festival

Rik Mayall’s friend and fellow comedian Ben Elton has welcomed plans to launch a comedy festival in honour of his late friend.

Mayall, who grew up in Droitwich, Worcestershire, became one of the county’s most famous performers before he died aged 56 in 2014.

The pair met when they were teenagers at Manchester University and went on to work on the BBC comedy The Young Ones.

Mr Elton said he missed his friend dearly and would support any event in his name.

“I think it’s wonderful and beautiful. The Midlands meant a lot to him, he got a lot of comedy out of it and he loved it dearly,” he said.

Plans for the festival are being drawn up after a meeting was held in April at the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich to discuss the idea.

Plans are said to be in the early stages and while exact dates have not been confirmed, organisers said they are looking to hold it in June and make it an annual event.

Mr Elton, who is embarking on a new tour later this month, said: “If it happens and I’m available I’ll turn up and be part of it, it sounds brilliant.

“I would love to support that.”

Mr Elton said his friend’s love for rock music cemented his pride in the Midlands as big musical names came out of the region – a festival in his hometown would be a fitting homage he said.

“Rik Mayall was a huge part of my life and a dear friend, it was the two of us in the 80s and we loved rock music, it’s what also made him really proud of the Midlands.

“He’s gone and I never quite have got over the shock because it was so unexpected.

“His was an unfinished life,” he said.