A fitting farewell: Comedy legend Rik Mayall flicks up his trademark two-finger salute for final TV appearance on Crackanory

By Kate Thomas For Mailonline

Published: 15:10 EST, 8 August 2014 | Updated: 18:30 EST, 8 August 2014

He passed away from an 'acute cardiac event' in June aged just 56.

But fans will now be able to give comedian Rik Mayall a proper send-off by tuning into Dave next month to witness his last ever TV appearance.

The late actor is seen flicking his signature two-finger salute in his last ever promotional shot for his stint on Crackanory, and the tongue-in-cheek pose seems a fitting tribute to his illustrious career.

Final farewell: Rik Mayall flashes his signature two-finger salute in the promo shot for Crackanory

Final farewell: Rik Mayall flashes his signature two-finger salute in the promo shot for Crackanory

The gesture was so iconic that during his funeral on June 19, hundreds of fans took to Twitter to pay their final respects to the joker with a series of selfies using the hashtag #FlickForRik.

 

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The Crackanory special, a new adult version of classic BBC kids show Jackanory - which ran from 1965 until 1996 - will feature the late comic reading The Weatherman by Tony Way.

The episode will be screened on Wednesday, September 24 at 10pm.

Signature pose: The Young Ones star was renowned for his cheeky salute
Signature pose: The Young Ones star was renowned for his cheeky salute

Signature pose: The Young Ones star was renowned for his cheeky salute

His 15-minute reading is set to be broadcast alongside a story read by Vic Reeves, called In Space No One Can Hear You Clean.

UKTV bosses had previously said Rik's episode would only air with the consent of his family and agent.

The Bottom star's appearance on Crackanory follows his now legendary reading of Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine on the kids' version of the show in the 80s, which attracted multiple complaints from parents at the time.

Considered one of Britain's comedy greats, the star played a number of celebrated brash, crude and vulgar characters in sitcoms including The Young Ones, Blackadder, The New Statesman and Bottom.

The comedian - who had children Rosie, 28, Sidney, 26, and Bonnie, 18 with his wife Barbara Mayall - suffered an 'acute cardiac event' when he returned to his home in Barnes, south-west London, after his usual morning run on June 9.

The Young Ones: Rik first found fame alongside Ade Edmondson in the BBC sitcom, which ran from 1982 to 1984

The Young Ones: Rik first found fame alongside Ade Edmondson in the BBC sitcom, which ran from 1982 to 1984

Mrs Mayall thanked the press 'for their discretion' and 'all the wonderful coverage' at the time, adding: 'It would have made him very happy.'

She added: '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 memorial service for the star is expected to be held in September.

Beloved by many: Rik's funeral was attended by 140 of his closest family and friends

Beloved by many: Rik's funeral was attended by 140 of his closest family and friends

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