Veteran singer Sir Cliff Richard has paid tribute to beloved British funnyman Rik Mayall and thanked the comedian for boosting his profile with his hit sitcom The Young Ones.

Mayall co-wrote the comedy, named after the pop star's famous 1962 hit, and played a Richard-loving anarchist student who often quoted the singer's lyrics.

The pair even teamed up in 1986 with the rest of The Young Ones cast to record a cover of Richard's song Living Doll for charity, topping the U.K. singles chart and raking in a fortune for Comic Relief.

Mayall died suddenly at his home in London on Monday (09Jun14) at the age of 56, and Richard has now spoken out to pay tribute and recall how the funnyman's 1980s sitcom boosted his profile.

He tells the U.K.'s Itv network, "I became a fan of his when he was in The Young Ones show and was always thrilled when he used my name during his series. I am so sad at his parting."