Career: Mayall made his small-screen debut in 1981 as the protagonist in Kevin Turvey Investigates, closely followed by TV series A Kick Up the Eighties and small roles in films Eye of the Needle and An American Werewolf in London. He shot to fame a year later when he co-wrote and starred in the BBC sitcom The Young Ones. With partner Adrian Edmondson, Mayall created The Dangerous Brothers for Saturday Live, then reteamed with fellow Young One Nigel Planer for Filthy Rich & Catflap in 1987. The same year, he won huge acclaim and a new fanbase with political satire The New Statesman. Other offerings include the movie Drop Dead Fred, Eat the Rich, Carry On Columbus, Guest House Paradiso, Rik Mayall Presents... and the hugely successful Bottom. In 2013, he starred in Channel 4 sitcom Man Down. He died on June 9, 2014

Career: Sayle first came to the attention of TV viewers in 1982 on the adult incarnation of Tiswas. Fronted by Chris Tarrant, OTT (Over the Top) lasted just a season, but nevertheless provided a good grounding for Sayle whose off-the-wall comedic spot proved memorable, if not overwhelming. Later that same year, a guest role in BBC sitcom The Young Ones reinforced his angst-ridden persona with audiences. Sayle proved well-suited to TV and Alexei Sayle's Stuff, his first starring vehicle, reached screens in 1988, and was well received. He racked up further appearances in Doctor Who and Lovejoy, and has given convincing performances on the big screen as the Sultan in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) and Achmed in Carry On Columbus (1992). He starred in the oddball sitcom Paris and resurrected his sketch show in the early 1990s. Sayle featured as impresario Charles Frobisher in the BBC's adaptation of the Sarah Waters novel Tipping the Velvet. Since then, his TV acting credits have included Keen Eddie, Agatha Christie's Marple and Holby City. His various novels have been acclaimed and he has fronted several BBC documentaries.

Career: While at university, Cook wrote a West End comedy revue for Kenneth Williams. His big break as a performer came when he was a member of the satirical stage show Beyond the Fringe, with Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett and Dudley Moore. Beyond the Fringe was a great success at the Edinburgh Festival, in London and on Broadway. In 1961, Cook opened the Establishment club in London, which allowed comedians and satirists the opportunity to perform their material in a nightclub setting. It closed in 1964. His comedy partnership with Moore led to TV sketch show Not Only… But Also, which ran for three series on the BBC between 1965 and 1970. They went on to star on the big screen together in The Wrong Box (1966) and Bedazzled (1967). They had less success with a series for ATV in 1968 entitled Goodbye Again. By this point, Cook's dependence on alcohol was affecting his work. During the 1970s, he became a favourite on the chat show circuit and continued to work with Moore, notably on their risqué Derek and Clive albums. They began working less together when Moore's Hollywood film career took off. Cook made occasional appearances on various TV shows in the 1980s and 1990s, notably playing four characters in an episode of Clive Anderson Talks Back in 1993. He died on January 9, 1995 at the age of 57.