Berserk: out of control with anger or excitement; wild or
frenzied.
Berserkers: an elite Norse fighting corp who, apparently off
their tits on hallucinogenic drugs, fought with a particular
fury and senseless abandon still present in many
Scandinavian heavy metal groups.
Ade Edmondson smashed onto the comedy circuit in the
1980s, stormed The Comedy Store and, alongside Rik Mayall,
brought anarchy to stage and screen. How did a child
brought up in a strict Methodist household - and who spent
his formative years incarcerated in repressive boarding
schools - end up joining the revolution? Well, he is part
Norse. Could it be his berserker heritage?
With wisdom, nostalgia and uniquely observed humour, Ade
traces his journey through life and comedy: starting out on
the alternative scene, getting arrested in Soho, creating his
outrageously violent characters and learning more about his
curious (possibly Scandinavian) heritage. With star-studded
anecdotes and set to a soundtrack of pop hits which
transport the reader through time, it's a memoir like no other.


Adrian Charles Edmondson is an English actor, comedian, musician, writer and television presenter. He studied drama at Manchester University where he met his comedy partner Rik Mayall. The influence of the absurdist dramatists he studied and his early love for The Goons, The Muppets and Monty Python are all reflected in his comedy practice. He and Rik were part of the first wave of Alternative Comedy where their glorious pursuit of laughter and anarchic performances changed the comedic landscape forever.