Cause of Rik Mayall's sudden death is still unexplained, says wife

Rik Mayall died on June 9 at the age of 56 but his wife claims that the reason for his sudden death is still unclear.

15:00 10 June 2014

On Monday, paramedics were called to Rik Mayall’s house where the comedian and actor was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:20pm. 

 

His cause of death remains unknown. His wife, Barbara Robbin said they are still waiting for the coroner’s report. 

 

She said: “We don't know yet what happened. He had a strong heart, so I don't think it was a heart attack. But we just don't know until the coroner's report.

"Maybe he had a fit, maybe it was his heart. We just don't know."

 

Bottom star Mayall suffered from a quad bike accident in 1998 that left him in a coma for several days. Although he was able to recover, he suffered from epilepsy. Previously, he had talked about suffering a fit whenever he failed to take his daily medication. 

 

Just 30 minutes before he passed away, British director Peter Richardson said that Mayall was talking to his son. 

 

He said: "He was happily chatting away [to my son] and then we still don’t know quite what happened but it was a seizure of some sort.

 

"He had 16 years after the quad bike and I think that at the time people didn't think he would survive.

 

"But he lived for another 16 years and it was just shocking that he was so happy and seemed so healthy when he did go."

 

"He’s got a very wonderful family, he was a very loving father and all I can say is that Rik had a very happy life."