Tributes pour in for comedian Sean Lock, who has died aged 58

Virgin Radio

18 Aug 2021, 12:23

Comedian and 8 Out of 10 Cats captain Sean Lock has died from cancer.

In a statement, his agent, Off The Kerb Productions said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Sean Lock. He died at home from cancer, surrounded by his family. 

“Sean was one of Britain's finest comedians, his boundless creativity, lightning wit and the absurdist brilliance of his work, marked him out as a unique voice in British comedy. Sean was also a cherished husband and father to three children. 

“Sean will be sorely missed by all that knew him. We kindly request that the privacy of his family and children are respected at this difficult time.”

The comedian was also known for the sitcom 15 Storeys High and for his stand-up shows. He won the British Comedy Award in 2000 in the category of Best Live Comic.

Tributes have been flooding in, with 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown’s Susie Dent describing him as an “exceptional man” and Jimmy Carr saying: “I’ll miss him so much.”

Richard Osman wrote on his Twitter account: “Over 15 years producing '8 Out Of 10 Cats' Sean Lock made me laugh so much and so often. A unique and brilliant comic voice. Love to his family and his many friends.”

Stephen Fry said on Twitter: “Oh no, what horrible news… I think it safe to say that the best episodes of QI that I was involved with were always the ones where Sean Lock was a guest. Such complete brilliance in every comic direction. What a loss. My heart goes out to his family.”

Dawn French wrote: “Oh. Sean Lock. A giantly funny and utterly lovely man. Will be massively missed.”

Other names from the world of comedy, including Bill Bailey, Ross Noble, Shaparak Khorsandi, Josh Widdicombe and Dianne Morgan, also took to Twitter to pay tribute. 

Jon Richardson, who appeared opposite Lock as a fellow team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, paid tribute on Twitter, saying how much he idolised the comedian.

Referencing a game the two played on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, he described him as the "Undisputed, undefeated, carrot in a box champion," before saying: "I will miss him."