Good morning Tash Appreciators,

Just a short one this week, which is ironic as it’s something this week’s Tash would never say.

There are various types of towering totems of Tash toting terrificness. Some men wear a Tash because it is fashionable; others for charity. Some even wear a Tash just to irritate their significant others. However, there are a few men, a very few, who wear a Tash simply because their personalities require it and they would look ridiculous if they wore anything else.

Two of my most favourite Tashes were worn by such a man: Rik Mayall. As I’m sure most of you know, he passed away this week.

I’m not going to pretend that I know much about Mayall’s background or what he was like in “real life”. I read a quote which suggested that’s just how he liked it. What I do know is that he created two characters for whom a Tash was absolutely necessary.

The first is Bombardier Bedford, from the Bombardier Real Ale advert:

The other is Lord Flashheart from Blackadder:

If you have a spare three minutes, this clip is well worth a watch:

The eccentricity and self-confidence of these characters renders it impossible for them to be imagined without their respective Tashes. Whether it’s head-butting and swatting cannon balls out of mid-air while defeating old “Boney” on the field of battle; or admiring a bridesmaid’s beard and saying “WOOF!” in the most provocative fashion imaginable, Mayall’s characters are two of the most amusing I’ve ever come across. The fact that they both sport superlative facial hair only serves to reinforce their excellence.

It’s a shame that Mayall has gone but hopefully, wherever he is, he’s still climbing through his latest conquest’s window – to leave a box of chocolates next to her bed – before machine gunning his phone number into the wall and disappearing into the night to meet her sister.

With that, I shall bid you farewell this week.

Have a great weekend folks!

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