Droitwich Spa: Rik Mayall mural unveiled in hometown

A mural dedicated to comedy legend Rik Mayall has been unveiled in the town where he grew up. The special piece of artwork has been created in an empty shop unit on Droitwich Spa's High Street and will help promote the town's first Rik Mayall Comedy Festival. Artist Milan Illustrator said it depicts Mayall as the king of comedy and features "five famous outfits from Rik's very famous characters".The community-run festival is taking place from 31 May to 7 June. Tickets for the headliners, who will play the Norbury Theatre, go on sale next month.
Greg Davies, Peter Richardson, Shaparak Khorsandi and Helen Lederer have all been confirmed for the event. Mayall was one of the UK's most loved and best known performers when he died in 2014, aged 56. A pioneer of the 1980s alternative comedy scene, his work included The Young Ones, Blackadder and Bottom. Illustrator, an artist from Birmingham, told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester he was familiar with Droitwich Spa and had included local references such as its radio mast.
He added that one scene in the mural featured a sign for Droitwich Spa and Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall on their famous Bottom bench. He said his favourite part of his mural was the playing card depicting Mayall as the King of Comedy. Illustrator added he was "proud" to have worked on the design to honour the comedian and had spent hours working on it over the Christmas holidays. The artwork attracted a crowd when it was unveiled in the town on Monday. One shopper told the BBC it was "full of fun" and she loved it. "It's just what we need as well, something different," she said. And another passer-by said he liked the way it brightened up the street.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Metro

40 minutes ago

• Metro

All 25 soap spoilers for this week as Emmerdale legends fight for life

A tense week awaits in the land of soap, as our new spoilers reveal, with life-threatening situations aplenty for a number of our favourite characters. Emmerdale's Robert Sugden finds himself in serious danger when killer John strikes and a few of Coronation Street's much-loved characters are left fearing the worst when a midsummer party goes horribly wrong. Over in EastEnders, horror strikes at the Vic when alcohol is served to the youngsters by accident, while Phil Mitchell is left injured. Hollyoaks, meanwhile, sees not one but two blast from the pasts for Mercedes McQueen and Karl Kennedy makes a big decision in Neighbours. For a first look at what's to come, we've got 25 spoilers to keep you enticed. 1. Phil is struggling with Nigel, who leaves the house barefoot and then throws a pan of boiling water over him. Kat and Denise implore him to seek additional help, but will he agree? 2. Denzel agrees to look after the youngsters while the adults enjoy Patrick's birthday at The Vic, and it's not long before Joel causes trouble. The lads are served punch by Elaine, but they rush off with the jugs instead. As they enjoy their party, Raymond, Bert and Ernie knock back the alcohol… 3. Kat can't cope with cutting contact with Alfie during his trip to 'Australia', and when she tries to confide in Jean, she's quickly shut down. Jean still can't see past the fact she entered into business with Kathy and Harvey. 4. It's Christmas! Well, sort of. The Mitchells' half-Xmas celebration to lift Barney's mood turns awry when Nicola trashes the living room and Harry invites Zack along. Teddy agrees to support Barney if he wants to make a relationship with Zack. 5. Vicki is confused by some suspicious invoices in the Panesar accounts, but Bernie quickly makes some excuses for them. Ross encourages his partner to speak with Ravi and Suki, who track down Bernie and ask her themselves. 6. Robert makes attempts to intensify Aaron's jealousy, but his efforts fall flat. John is determined to rid him from the village and drugs him, and then stands over his lifeless body with a syringe. He's confused to wake up in the back of a van with no memory of what has happened… 7. Sarah is concerned about continuing with IVF when her own life is at risk, and is stunned when Jacob offers to be a sperm donor. She heads in for surgery, with Cain and Charity devastated when they learn that the operation hasn't gone to plan. 8. Belle tries to reason with Tracy over Nate's funeral, and when she feels like she's being accused of his murder, bans all of the Dingles from attending. Vanessa speaks with her sister, urging her to think twice. 9. Joe is panicked when he discovers that someone has stolen his autoimmune suppressant drugs. Believing Billy is out to get him, he decides that a 'replacement Graham' is needed to teach him a lesson or two. 10. Paddy voices his fears about Bear to Gabby, and she suggests that she may have dementia. Rather than broaching the subject with his dad, Paddy enlists Marlon to help him do an online test – but it could be harder than they initially thought. 11. Aadi hosts a party which quickly goes awry when Brody brings drugs. Nina and Summer knock back some LSD, and later, while still high, panic at the sound of sirens. The next day they retrace their steps following an incident, but will they find what they're looking for? 12. The DNA results come back, and Kit is confirmed to be Brody's father. What will he do with the information, and how will Sarah feel when he tells her the news? 13. Maria is worried when Liam says that Gary hasn't returned from visiting Anna in Durham, and isn't picking up his calls. She's relieved to hear from him later in the week when he texts to say he's staying with a mate. 14. Debbie calls Abi to ask her to pick her up from the police station. What has happened? Ronnie wants her to get back with him, but she remains adamant that she doesn't want him to be her carer. 15. Tracy asks Steve to meet her at the Rovers to discuss their divorce, but it's actually an excuse to celebrate his birthday. He sneaks off to see Cassie, and when Tracy follows, she's shocked to see them together. The pair then confirm their relationship with a kiss in full sight! 16. Mercedes receives word that Bobby has escaped from the secure home. Later, she meets with him in The Dog, which is still undergoing renovations. Will Bobby be apprehended? 17. Having learned of Bobby's escape, Goldie returns to the village, determined to ensure he serves the rest of his sentence. 18. Jez is spooked when Dodger meets with Tori's social worker, who confirms that a member of the Blake family was harassing Dennis prior to his death. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 19. Diane and Marie vie for Tony's affection. 20. Clare continues to receive support from Dodger. 21. Holly accompanies Andrew to Sandy Point and he's warmed by an encounter with his biological dad and sister. On their way home, they stop for a late-night drink but opt not to tell Wendy, who is on cloud nine after landing a job at Erinsborough High. Is there something going on between these two? 22. Jane meets Darcy in prison and he tells her about Amanda's final moments, and how she always cared for her. Karl asks why he was targeted, and Darcy suggests that he's too old to be practising. Susan is shocked when he reveals he has no intentions of returning to work. 23. Two new Ramsays arrive, with Max's mum Yvette dropping off his younger sister Saskia and insisting she comes to stay. Dex instantly develops a crush, but she's got eyes for Byron and tries to kiss him! He's instantly uncomfortable – choosing not to tell Max – but she remains determined to win him over. More Trending 24. Taye drops a wad of cash in front of Cara, and when she finds Lydia's ID badge in his car, she's shocked. After coming clean, Lydia is reassigned, but Cara is concerned to hear her mate will now take charge of her training. Trouble lies ahead… 25. Aaron is enjoying Rhett's company when Colton arrives, assuring him that he's still keen for a relationship. It's not long before he's confronted by the reality that he'll have to make his choice. Nicolette reveals that she saw both men wander into the bathroom together, and Aaron fears they have moved on from him… together! View More » EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV. Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays on Channel 4 streaming and airs on E4 at 7pm. Neighbours streams Monday to Thursday from 7am on Amazon Prime Video . MORE: Emmerdale confirms new accomplice for John as he gets rid of Robert MORE: All Neighbours spoilers for next week as legend resigns MORE: All Coronation Street spoiler videos for next week as tragedy strikes

The National

2 hours ago

• The National

There's a new reason for Scots to visit Naples

The face of Diego Maradona, who secured two other historic championship wins with Napoli, gazes down from murals and giant flags strung over the shaded alleys. But there's another face and name around the city, too. Scotland's Scott McTominay, who joined Napoli last summer, has already become an icon for Neapolitans. His goal that helped the team to its fourth championship has raised him to the saint-like status Maradona enjoys. READ MORE: US enters war with Iran after Donald Trump orders bombing of key nuclear sites McTominay is everywhere in the city now – memorialised in murals, celebrated on T-shirts and modelled into the famous figurines of its Christmas nativity scenes. If you're a fan of the footballer, there's no better place to honour him than in Naples this summer. Sitting at the packed plastic outdoor tables of a trattoria in Naples's historic Quartieri Spagnoli, scooters roaring past beside me, I can see a freshly spray-painted effigy of a noble-looking McTominay on the opposite wall, a seductive Sophia Loren beside him. The grid-plan alleys of the neighbourhood are an open-air gallery of murals, mainly featuring Maradona. Wander the shaded passages and you'll see him in various guises – Christ-like with a crown of thorns, graced with the wings of an angel, and sanctified with a halo. Similar tributes are now being paid to McTominay. Already, a black and white icon of the Scot's face has been inserted in the niche of a deconsecrated votive shrine along Via San Nicola a Nilo. And in an even more blatant statement, a mural on a wall near the San Pietro a Majella music conservatory shows the footballer leaping backwards to kick the ball, substituting the figure of God in the famous Michelangelo painting the Creation of Adam. On the walls of the decadent, crumbling palazzos that line the centro storico neighbourhood you'll see the graffitied phrase 'McFratm' – McTominay's dialectical nickname that roughly translates as 'McBro'. Souvenir stalls also sell flags and scarves with his name, but the most characteristic Neapolitan ode to the player is found on Via San Gregorio Armeno. This narrow alley in the heart of the historic centre is renowned for its workshops producing figurines traditionally used in presepi, or nativity scenes. The quirk here, though, is that Neapolitan nativity scenes are not just populated by Mary, Joseph and other biblical figures. Celebrities, politicians, popes and royalty have long been witnesses to Jesus's birth in Naples. New famous people who are modelled into figurines each year represent a line-up of those the world's been talking about most. Naturally, McTominay has now joined the ranks. Miniature scullptures of sculptures of him, with combed blond hair and a football in his hand, make for the perfect football fan souvenir If you are visiting Naples, when it comes to accommodation, you stay in style like McTominay and his family do at the five-star Romeo Hotel Napoli. Housed inside a Kenzo Tange-designed glass and steel building, the hotel is all sleek ebony panelling, volcanic stone from Mount Vesuvius and textured glass. Despite opening nearly 15 years ago, it still feels very on trend. It is packed with owner and Neapolitan businessman Alfredo Romeo's artworks – from an Andy Warhol of the nearby volcano to Mark Kostabi paintings and Zaha Hadid fireplaces and an eclectic chair collection. The Krug Champagne-branded roof terrace with an infinity pool overlooks the sweeping bay with shadowy Mount Vesuvius behind. Some rooms have panoramic harbour and volcano views, while wellness rooms are fitted with saunas, Turkish baths and jacuzzis. Suites feature opulent marble fireplaces and the Zen Garden suite has a Japanese-inspired outdoor area with an open-air jacuzzi. In the basement, there is a vast, futuristic spa where McTominay might have recovered from his game in the Himalayan salt-walled sauna or beneath the snow cascade in the frigidarium.

Daily Record

9 hours ago

• Daily Record

Antiques Road Trip star opens up on daughter's heartbreaking health battle and family 'struggle'

BBC Antiques Road Trip star Phillip Serrell said daughter Clementine's battle has been 'difficult' and 'hard to understand' Antiques Road Trip star Philip Serrell has opened up about his daughter's heartbreaking battle with anorexia. The BBC expert has been open and honest in the past about Clementine's health struggles, despite finding it hard to understand at first. Now that she's in recovery, Clementine wants to raise awareness and support others who are facing the same challenges she's experienced. ‌ Phillip shared his own struggles to comprehend what she was going through. He said: 'A s a dad, it's been very difficult, I've found it very hard to understand. ‌ "I've spent 62 years enjoying eating and it's very hard not to say 'Just eat, it's easy'." He also reflected on the progress his daughter made, admitting she's 'come through this on her own'. But Phillip candidly admitted his family are not out of the woods yet, and there are still tough situations to navigate. He added: 'Christmas a very difficult time of year because people suffering with anorexia get booze and food shoved at them - and that's very hard to deal with." Phillip's daughter first stepped into the public spotlight with her journey back in 2020 when she took to social media to post a comparison image of herself. In one of the pictures, she was at the height of the devastating illness, and in the second recent snap, she looked happier and healthier and working towards healing, as reports Devon Live. ‌ Brave Clementine aimed to empower others with her words, and said: "Never think you can't escape." She then went on to detail her battles with anorexia and bulimia, explaining she thinks the catalyst was the end of a significant relationship. She believes the internal turmoil led to feeling disassociated from her life. She disclosed that in 2011, she made herself vomit 'about eight times' on New Year's Eve, waking up on New Year's Day "full of shame and utter self loathing". The next year, she started suffering from anorexia. ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. She went on: "That was the worst year, and Christmas, ever. It was just pure hell, with no escape. I was TOTALLY consumed by the eating disorder, addicted to it, addicted to counting calories and 'burning off' what I could. I weighed EVERYTHING. I counted the calories in EVERYTHING. I hated what I'd become but I was petrified of giving up that addiction." She said her journey to recovery has felt painfully slow at times as she added: "After a long, and at times sooooo painfully slow, recovery I'm here, where I am now... I will always talk about eating disorders, and I'll always be honest. I don't post things like this for any praise or anything like that but to show others that you can get your life back." ‌ She said she is now committed to raising awareness about eating disorders. She went on: "I will always talk about eating disorders, and I'll always be honest. I don't post things like this for any praise or anything like that but to show others that you can get your life back. And also because I genuinely believe EDs are still very misunderstood and that kills me a bit. 'This is a hard time to go through, especially if you have an eating disorder but know that there can be life on the other side. And know that you really are strong enough to get there." Antiques Road Trip is available to watch on BBC iPlayer