 The series also featured at least one significant cameo role per episode , with notable appearances from Rik Mayall , playing the debonair Lord Flashheart in " Bells " , two figures famous for their roles in science fiction series - Tom Baker and Simon Jones - in " Potato " , Miriam Margolyes , who had appeared in the previous series , as the puritanical Lady Whiteadder , and Stephen Fry 's comedy partner Hugh Laurie appearing twice , first as the drunken Simon Partridge in " Beer " and in the final episode as the evil Prince Ludwig . Laurie was later given a larger role as George in the next two series . Also " Bob " , played by Gabrielle Glaister , a former classmate of Ben Elton 's , made " his " first appearance . Several of the characters were seen in similar guises in later series . 
