Alien: Earth star Adrian Edmondson's life from famous spouse to £250,000 planning row

Alien: Earth boasts a stellar cast headed by Sydney Chandler and Timothy Olyphant, but also includes a recognisable face for British audiences.

Comedy legend Adrian Edmondson plays Atom Eins, a high-ranking executive at the influential megacorporation Prodigy and trusted aide to Boy Kavalier (portrayed by Samuel Blenkin), the planet's youngest trillionaire.

Most famous for his double act with late comedy partner Rik Mayall, the pair became household names through their acclaimed sitcoms The Young Ones, Filthy Rich and Catflap and Bottom during the 1980s and 90s.

Recently, he's ventured into more serious acting territory, featuring in the ITVX thriller A Spy Among Friends and various sci-fi productions including Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

With his entry into the sinister world of the Alien franchise, let's explore his personal life beyond the spotlight, reports Devon Live.

READ MORE: Rivals makes huge season 2 cast announcement as two British A-listers join Disney+ show

Early Life

Adrian Edmondson, 68, entered the world in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire in 1957, though his childhood was marked by constant relocation.

His family spent years travelling globally to destinations including Cyprus, Bahrain and Uganda due to his father's role as an educator within the British Armed Forces.

During his teenage years from 11 to 18, he settled back in Yorkshire at Pocklington School, a boarding establishment he confesses he despised.

Speaking to Teachwire, he revealed he was "hit a lot, with sticks" as discipline, though acknowledges that he and his mates made it their mission to violate as many regulations as they could manage.

Friendship with Rik Mayall

Edmondson attended the Victoria University of Manchester, where he formed a comedy duo and lifelong friendship with Rik Mayall.

The pair also became friends with Blackadder co-writer Ben Elton and immersed themselves in the alternative comedy scene.

Mayall, who tragically died from a heart attack in 2014, had a quad biking accident in 1998 that resulted in head injuries. Edmondson confessed their partnership changed after that incident.

He revealed to The Guardian: "I don't think we ever fell out. But it changed. Things became thinner."

Marriage to another comedy legend

Edmondson tied the knot with fellow comedy legend Jennifer Saunders, known for her role in Absolutely Fabulous, in May 1985, and they've remained together since.

The couple first met at a comedy strip club where Saunders was performing, although Edmondson was in another relationship for five years before starting a romance with his future wife.

They have three daughters: musician Ella, actress Beattie, and designer/stylist Freya.

Despite keeping their personal life private, Edmondson shared the secret to their long-lasting relationship in The Telegraph: "We have always made a point of not interfering with each other's work.

"And we never get jealous. That's the thing."

They currently live in a listed building in Dartmoor, which is embroiled in an ongoing planning dispute with the council over a proposed £250,000 extension to their historic home.

'Miracle cure'

The Alien: Earth star was seldom spotted without his iconic thick-rimmed spectacles throughout the majority of his career but has recently ditched them altogether.

In 2023, Edmondson revealed his short-sightedness had been miraculously healed, decades after he first started wearing glasses at eight years old.

Speaking at The Bath Forum, according to the Daily Mail, he said: "The short-sightedness I had can be seen if you like on an increasing graph over time. But as I got this ancient, the long-sightedness of old age has been creeping up from the opposite direction.

"And at this precise moment in my life I am in the crosshairs where the short-sightedness has been cancelled out by the long-sightedness. And I can almost.. see."

He then quipped to the crowd: "So I will be able to see if you try and nip out. I have locked the doors and cross-checked."

Alien: Earth continues Wednesdays on Disney+.