Nigel Planner says Rik Mayall's death has brought the Comic Strip gang closer together.
The 'Young Ones' actor - who was part of the alternative comedy group with the late star, along with Ade Edmondson, Peter Richardson, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders - admitted that the untimely death of their close pal has helped to cement their friendship.
Nigel told The Sun Newspaper: "It was a terrible shock and it still feels unreal he is no longer here. Everyone is reeling from the loss.
"But it has brought the Comic Strip gang and all our partners and kids together. We are all much closer now."
A memorial will be held for Rik - who was just 56 when he died of "acute cardiac arrest" following his early morning run at his home in Barnes, south-west London - next month and the BBC are in the process of making a programme in tribute to the late comedian.
Nigel, 61, said: "His funeral was deeply sad - everyone was in shock really. I hope at his memorial everyone will have had a chance to process it a bit and it will be more of a celebration of his life."
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