Nigel Planer recalls 'extraordinary' Rik Mayall at comedy festival

Nigel Planer, who played Neil in The Young Ones, spoke at the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He promoted his book Young Once and recalled working with Rik Mayall, Peter Richardson, Alexei Sayle, and Adrian Edmonson during the alternative comedy movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Planer described Mayall as 'extraordinary' and noted his obsession with his own brand: 'He loved being Rik.' The festival, first held in 2025, takes place at and around the Norbury Theatre, where Mayall was raised and first performed. Planer shared memories of filming The Young Ones, including the Bambi episode where a giant chocolate eclair dropped by Robbie Coltrane's character crushed the cast. He also discussed the enduring popularity of his character Neil, who spawned albums and a book. Mayall died in 2014 at age 56.