The comedy star Rik Mayall yesterday showed he was recovering in hospital from serious head injuries suffered in a quad bike crash when he asked his wife : "Why are those bastards always sticking needles into me?"
"So we know he is on the mend," said Barbara Mayall.
She has been at her husband's bedside at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, since the accident a week ago. Mrs Mayall added that lucky charms sent to Mayall by a young fan called Lara "have done their work".
"Rik is now awake and walking about, and his memory is returning, though still a bit patchy, but I feel we have him back," she said. Mrs Mayall went on: "Thank you for all the love and support that has been coming our way."