Rik Mayall is set to be honoured with a tribute in the Christmas special of Man Down.

The late comedian played Greg Davies’ character’s dad in the Channel 4 sitcom and creator Greg has promised to pay homage to his pal, who died earlier this year aged 56, in this week’s festive episode.

According to The Sun, Greg said: “It’s been a tough year for the characters and in general because Rik played my dad in the first series.

Greg Davies Rik Mayall
Greg Davies and Rik Mayall with the cast of Man Down (Channel 4)

“I’m not giving too much away by saying that the character he plays has passed away. I hope we’ve done the character and the man a service.”

Greg plays a teacher who hates his job in the comedy, taking inspiration from his real-life past as a “depressed teacher” for 13 years.

Rik Mayall
Rik Mayall died earlier this year (Ian West/PA)

He said of his former profession: “I walked into the staff room and saw a group of men slagging off a 12 year old. I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something else’.”

The Christmas special of Man Down is on Channel 4 on December 23 at 10pm.