Rik Mayall suffered “an acute cardiac event”, following a morning run his wife said.
Barbara Robbin – who married the late actor in 1985 – issued the following statement, in which she also thanked the public for their “heartfelt love and support”.
The couple had three children together, Rosie, Sid and Bonnie.
“We now know that our darling Rik suffered an ‘acute cardiac event’ at our home around midday on 9 June,” she said
“He had just returned from his usual run and many people had seen him that morning.
“I, Rosie, Sid, Bonnie and the many in our extended family who have received the thousands and thousands of messages of condolence from all over the UK and beyond these shores would like to say thank you to each and every one of you for your heartfelt love and support.
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“I would also like to thank the press for their discretion at this time and for all the wonderful coverage that you have given Rik. It would have made him very happy.
“We always knew that Rik was well loved but we are all overwhelmed by so many joining us in our grief.
“I am sure that you all know Rik’s response would be something along the lines of, ‘Well thanks very much all of you… now f*** off!!!!'”
A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive, West London Coroner’s Court said this morning, 12 June. Further tests are required, the results of which are not expected for days or “or most probably weeks”.
“The post-mortem was done this morning. The tests have proved inconclusive therefore tests are ongoing,” said a West London Coroner’s Court spokesperson.
Robbin said on Monday that she didn’t know the cause of Mayall’s death.
“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.”
In 1998, Mayall was left in a coma for several days after a serious quad bike accident. He recovered, but was left with epilepsy – for which he took daily medication.
His friend and colleague Peter Robinson said earlier this week that his death could have been caused by a “seizure”, revealing that the actor had “happily chatted” to his son only half an hour before he died.
