Rik Mayall 'Bottom' bench unveiled unveiled in Hammersmith

A street bench like one that featured in the BBC sitcom Bottom was being officially unveiled in memory of comedy legend Rik Mayall.

It followed an online campaign by more than 7,000 of his fans.

Mayall, who starred in a string of TV comedies, said before his death, aged 56, in June that he had been saddened by the removal of the bench.

It had appeared in the opening credits of Bottom, in which he starred with Adrian Edmondson.

Town hall chiefs in Hammersmith, west Londonm readily agreed a few weeks ago to put a new bench at the site in the late comedian's honour.

An inscription reads: "In memory of the man, the myth, the legend. Dr The Rik Mayal. Pan Global Phenomenon. Equality, Opportunity, Wisdom, Freedom and love. Barbara: Love is the answer."

Mayall appeared in series such as The Young Ones, Blackadder and The New Statesman and also starred in the movies Drop Dead Fred and Guest House Paradiso.

The unveiling ceremony on Friday afternoon was organised by fans and friends of the comedian.

A tribute written by Mayall's Young Ones co-star Nigel Planer was being read, along with tributes from fans.

Actress Jaime Bird, 32, from West London, a lifelong fan, who organised the memorial, spoke of an "overwhelming love and appreciation for what he did".

She said she was not confident of succeeding with her campaign.

But she said: "Within three days we had over 1,000 signatures. We had a lot of backing from celebrities. Bill Bailey was one of the first to sign it."

She believed the campaign had triumphed because Mayall had been "so well-loved".

She added: "The nation as a whole didn't realise how much they genuinely did love him and treasure him until that moment."

The bench at the junction of Queen Caroline Street and Hammersmith Bridge Road, in west London, was removed many years ago after the sitcom scene was filmed. It appeared in the series between 1991 and 1995.

A spokesman for Hammersmith and Fulham Council said: "The council was petitioned for a new bench by friends of Rik Mayall and we quickly agreed to it."