In the late 1970s, Rik and Adrian Edmondson formed a comedy group called "Twentieth Century Coyote" while attending college together in Manchester. Originally a five-man team, Twentieth Century Coyote eventually became a partnership between just Rik and Ade. That partnership exists to this present day and is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in modern
British comedy. The duo appeared often on Saturday nights during open mike time at The Comedy Store. Once they had joined The Comic Strip Presents... team, Rik became part of the alternative comedians "legend". He continued to appear in 15 episodes of The Comic Strip Presents... and also co-wrote a number of episodes with his
long-term comedy partner, Edmondson, including Mr Jolly Lives Next
Door and Dirty Movie.
From this experience with The Comic Strip Presents... he went on to co-write and star in The Young Ones with
Ben Elton and Lise Meyer. He played
Rick, the political anarchist studying Sociology (or was it Domestic
Science?) who was a poetic
genius, adored Cliff Richard and rude words. This show forever sealed his fame as a performer. It's since become a
cult hit that's known all over the world.
Since doing The Young Ones, Rik has appeared in numerous television shows and films. Some of the most famous are Bottom, which rivals The Young Ones for its
cult status; ]The New Statesman], in which Rik portrayed
Tory MP Alan B'Stard with a wicked sense of satire; and the films Drop Dead Fred and Guest
House Paradiso.
