Top 10 Best of Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson

We can all relate to the sometimes tedious rituals of board games, especially when someone’s a sore loser. This scene from “Filthy Rich & Catflap” provides a perfect critique on the classic question-and-answer contest of Trivial Pursuit. Eccentric wannabe TV star Richie and enigmatic minder Eddy go through the motions - commentating on the farcical nature of the game and the sophistication of their own jokes, occasionally breaking the fourth wall and talking to us at home.

One of many ultraviolent tussles between the two, this fight revolves around Richie trying to get his hands on some of Eddie’s Hobnobs, while they’re out camping in a park. With superb comic timing, it's Mayall and Edmondson at their exuberant best, with the two bouncing around the set exhibiting their now-trademark unconventional physical comedy. Seriously, we could just watch them go at it for hours.

Although their characters are only on-screen together for a very short period of time, this appearance in “Blackadder Goes Forth” is brilliant due to its comic brevity. When Mayall’s loudmouthed Lord Flashheart turns up to save the day, Blackadder and co. are foiled by Edmondson’s Baron von Richthofen, who is surprisingly elated to finally meet his adversary. One dramatic monologue later and...

There can be some big stakes in poker, but when you’re living in a filthy flat, chores are worth more than money. After a gruelling psych out session, they show their cards, and predictably, Richie’s been cheating, with cards stashed all over the place. On his high horse and taking advantage of Richie’s limited knowledge of the game, Eddie reveals his almost unbelievable hand. You wouldn’t get that in Vegas.

A genius “Comic Strip Presents” parody, Bad News was a spoof heavy metal band formed by Mayall, Edmondson, Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson. In this heated appearance on the music show “The Tube”, the band get into a classic creative squabble, with Mayall’s bass guitarist Colin Grigson moaning about having to mime on Live TV. Edmondson’s lead singer Vim Fuego hits back, and we get a constant back and forth between the two. It’s a sublime example of Mayall and Edmondson’s unshakable chemistry.

Richie is insufferable at the best of times - but you should see him on his birthday. Rocking downstairs to open his healthy selection of birthday cards - which may or may not have been sent by himself, he methodically sifts through his hoard and brags about how popular he is. Then, after expressing his frustration in Eddie’s gift, he gets his real present. What follows is a long list of double entendres that ultimately lead to Richie’s red-faced disappointment.

Cricket is a rather refined game, full of tradition and decorum - well, not in this house. Moving aside the furniture to play cricket, Vyvyan’s taking aim, Mike's the batsman at the crease and Rick well, he’s the stumps. And understandably, he’s terrified, wouldn’t you be? After Vyvyan gets Mike out, in typically violent fashion, all that’s left is for him to do is claim his prize.

If you’ve never witnessed the on-screen mayhem of Mayall and Edmondson, then there’s no better way of getting up to speed than with this short, chaotic clip. As “The Dangerous Brothers”, the pair put together countless controversial sketches, one of which was banned by Channel 4. So, in response, the two shoot an elaborate coup in a car park, showcasing their rebellious nature and resentment for the TV channel.

Anyone can play chess, or pretend to play chess, at least. In another attempt to pass the time, Richie and Eddie sit down with their makeshift chess set ready to wage strategical battle with one another. Several hours later and Richie is still to make his first move - which ultimately ends up being a disaster - and Eddie’s quick to capitalise. How do the guys settle it? By trying to kill each other of course!

One of the first on-screen feuds between Rick and Vyvyan, the two fight over a room in their new student accommodation, giving us a taste of their turbulent relationship to follow. Arguing over who was there first, as you might expect, things turn violent quickly. Thinking on his feet, Vyvyan ends the argument with a quick flick of a lit match. Oh well, at least Neil’s there when you need him.