BBC 2 comedy Bottom aired for three seasons from 1991-1995 and followed the hapless antics of a sex-crazed and slobby duo in their filthy Hammersmith flat – did you spot these famous faces?
Bottom was a chaotic and violent slapstick comedy that aired for three seasons on BBC 2 from 1991 to 1995.
The cult classic was the brainchild of Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson, who also starred in the series. The show followed the disastrous exploits of a sex-obsessed and slovenly pair living in a grimy Hammersmith flat. In the series, Eddie and Richie concoct desperate plans to seduce women, including purchasing sex spray, counterfeiting money, and masquerading as aristocrats.
Their schemes invariably fail, leading to their frustration with each other and often resulting in hilariously exaggerated fights utllising any implements that may be lying around.
While Eddie and Richie held their audience’s attention throughout the episodes, if you could tear your eyes off the main two characters you may have seen some up and coming, as well as established stars also featured throughout its run.
Here are a few of those recognisable faces, in case you missed them, gathered together for you by Daily Star.
Liz Smith
Liz Smith was a well-known figure in British film and television, with roles in The Royle Family and Keeping Mum among her credits. In her later years, she often portrayed slightly eccentric elderly women with a hint of mischief in their eyes. In the fourth episode of Bottom’s first season, Smith played a fortune teller who ominously tells Richie that he will die before the moon rises three times.
Mark Williams
Before hitting the big time with The Fast Show and taking on the titular role in Father Brown, Mark Williams was a hardworking actor popping up in various sitcoms like Red Dwarf and Alexei Sayle’s Stuff. He even made an appearance at the end of Bottom’s first series, showing up as a guest at Richie’s birthday bash though he was actually invited by Eddie and had no real interest in celebrating with Richie.
Julia Sawalha
Ahead of her appearing as a barmaid in Bottom, Julia Sawalha was a very familiar face on British television, playing a whole host of roles throughout her childhood. While many will probably recognise her for Absolutely Fabulous, her most notable role ahead of meeting Richie and Eddie was in the Brit TV series Press Gang. In Bottom’s Parade episode she plays a disinterested barmaid who is hit upon by Richie. When his “smashing blouse” line fails to work, he mentions his supposed involvement in the Falklands War, piquing the interest of another pub patron (see below).
Robert Llewellyn
For the latter part of the 80s and well into the 90s most people would have only recognised Robert Llewlelyn as the sanitation droid, Kryten, in the sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. But in the fourth episode of the second series of Bottom, Llewellyn appeared without his prostethic make-up as a wounded Falklands War veteran named Mr N. Stiles. When passed out drunk, Mr Stiles has his wooden leg stolen by Eddie and Richie, who want to sell it and place a bet on a “dead cert” horse. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t end well.
Brian Glover
Brian Glover made an early appearance in the series as Rik and Ade’s terrifying and violent neighbour, Mr Rottweiler, in the episode Gas. By the time of his appearence on the show, Glover had established a name for himself in the film industry, as a gruff but likeable character actor. With his iconic look, and even more iconic northern accent, the former wrestler and teacher found success both on stage and on screen. Film buff viewers may well have noted that it wasn’t the first time Rik and Glover had appeared together, having both featured in the pub scene of the 1981 film American Werewolf in London.
Patsy Rowlands
Patsy Rowlands was best remembered for her roles in the Carry On film series and Bless This House. But in 1991 she made a special guest appearance as Spudgun’s mum, Lil Potato in the fourth episode of the first season of Bottom. In the show Richie and Eddie volunteer to participate in an identity parade for some extra cash. It turns out that the accused criminals are Eddie’s friends Dave Hedgehog and Spudgun. Lil Potato enters the police station and accuses her son of stealing her handbag. Annoyed by her wasting police time, Chief Inspector Grobbelaar orders another officer to take Spudgun’s mother round the back and “give her a good drubbing.”
Victor Spinetti
George Harrison once informed Spinetti: “You’ve got to be in all our films … if you’re not in them me Mum won’t come and see them – because she fancies you.” Spinetti gained international fame during the 1960s due to his association with the Beatles, appearing in their first three Beatles films. In the penultimate episode of the final season of Bottom, Spinetti appeared as the maitre ‘d of the hotel that Richie and Eddie have stolen a honeymoon escape to. Although a relatively minor role, he still finds time to flirt with Eddie, who is impersonating a woman to maintain his and Richie’s Honeymooning couple ruse.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
