Coroner needs further tests

A post-mortem examination into the death of Rik Mayall has proved inconclusive.

The West London Coroner's Office says further tests are required to determine what caused the comedian's death at the age of 56 earlier this week.

Mayall's friend, the Comic Strip co-creator Peter Richardson had speculated the death was down to 'a seizure of some sort', perhaps linked to the quad bike accident which left Mayall in a coma for several days in 1998.

And Mayall's wife Barbara Robbins initially said it was unlikely to have been a cardiac arrest as her husband had a 'strong heart', but today said he suffered an 'acute cardiac event'.

In a statement, Ms Robbins said: 'We now know that our darling Rik suffered an 'acute cardiac event' at our home around midday on June 9th.

'He had just returned from his usual run and many people had seen him that morning.'

She also thanked the public for their support and the press for their discretion.

'We always knew that Rik was well loved but we are all overwhelmed by so many joining us in our grief,' she added.

Tributes have flooded in to the Young Ones, Bottom and Blackadder star since emergency services were called his house in Barnes, south west London, shortly after lunchtime on Monday and pronounced him dead on the scene.

Police do not believe his death to be suspicious.

Published: 12 Jun 2014