Adrian Charles 'Ade' Edmondson (born 24 January 1957) is an English actor, comedian, director and writer. He is probably best known for his comedic roles as the stereotypical dumb violent punk Vyvyan Bastard in The Young Ones (1982–1984) and Eddie Hitler in Bottom (1991–1995) which he also co-wrote and starred opposite his comedy partner Rik Mayall.
Edmondson is the second of four children. Though he was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, he spent time living with his family in a variety of places including Cyprus, Bahrain, and Uganda, where his father was a teacher in the armed forces when he was a child. He attended Pocklington School in Yorkshire from 11 to 18 years of age and later went on to the University of Manchester to study drama, receiving a 2:1 degree, where he met his future comedy partner Rik Mayall. They soon became friends and before long found work on the burgeoning alternative comedy scene. Under the name 20th Century Coyote they became one of the star attractions at the The Comedy Store. As their popularity grew, they and other upcoming comedians (including Alexei Sayle, Peter Richardson, Nigel Planer and French and Saunders) split away from the Comedy Store to set up their own venue: The Comic Strip club.
On May 11, 1985 Edmondson married his Comic Strip performer Jennifer Saunders, with whom he now has three daughters: Eleanor "Ella" (born 22 January 1986), Beatrice "Beattie" (19 June 1987), and Freya (16 October 1990). He and his family currently have a £2 million 400 year old farmhouse, with 45 acres of land in Chagford, Devon and a home in London.
A keen fan of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Edmondson performed (vocals and trumpet) with them as part of their 2006 reformation and countrywide tour, and contributed vocals and writing for their 2007 album Pour L'Amour Des Chiens.
He is also an avid fan of Exeter City.
On 10 July 2007, Edmonson and Saunders both received honorary Doctorates of Literature from the University of Exeter.
Hey Ade, I believe you were robbed of your title as winner of Hell's Kitchen 2009!! You clearly were the better chef. Thanks for making the programme so exciting! Your a great watch and an excellent cook! Please don't leave our tv sets!
All the best and well done on getting to the end! Best wishes, Oz
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