Sean Lock dead: Jason Manford shares final text with comedian as he urges people to check in with friends

Manford shared a final message to Lock following the icon’s death (Picture: David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock)

Jason Manford has urged his followers to check in with their loved ones as he shared a final message with Sean Lock following the news the beloved comedian had died aged 58.

Lock’s agent confirmed the news on Wednesday morning, saying the 8 Out Of 10 Cats star died from cancer.

Tributes have come in from his friends and co-stars, including Lee Mack and Jon Richardson, with David Baddiel saying he was one of the ‘funniest men’ he knew.

In a post to his Instagram, Manford shared an image of himself with Lock, as well as a screenshot of a text he’d sent the 15 Storeys High star a couple of weeks ago.

His message to Lock read: ‘Hi Sean, hope you and your family are doing okay. Did Countdown last week and missed having you there.

‘I often think back to my days on Cats with you & how much I appreciated working with you, the buzz I’d get on the rare occasion something I said would make you laugh!’

Lock’s agent confirmed his death today (Picture: Steve Meddle/Rex/Shutterstock)

He went on: ‘Anyway, just wanted to check in and wish you and your family all the best.

‘Lots of love and hopefully see you soon. Jason.’

Manford added of his heartbreak in the caption, musing on his time working alongside Lock on the panel show fronted by Jimmy Carr.

He wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted about this. So heartbroken for his wife and children. One of the funniest men I’ve ever worked with and I used to adore occasionally making him laugh on my first proper telly job, 8 Out of 10 Cats.

‘I texted him couple of weeks ago and I’m now so glad I did.’

He was best known for his work on 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Picture: Channel Four)

Encouraging his followers to reach out to friends, he went on: ‘If you’ve a friend who’ve you not spoken to for a while, drop them a message and check in. It could be the last time. RIP Sean ❤️ [sic]’

A statement from Lock’s agent Off The Kerb Productions this morning confirmed the star’s death and said Lock was surrounded by his family.

It read: ‘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 is respected at this difficult time.’

Tributes have come in, with comedian Lee Mack, a close friend of Lock’s, saying: ‘I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heart-breaking.

‘A true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much.’

Lock’s 8 Out of 10 Cats co-star Jon Richardson also paid tribute, sharing his idolisation of the comedian.

He wrote on Twitter: ‘I idolised Sean as a comic long before I became a comedian myself and ten years working alongside him didn’t diminish that in the least. An incredible comic brain and a truly unique voice.’

More: Jimmy Carr

He added: ‘I’m devastated for his family today and sad for comedy that we have lost one of the very best.

‘Undisputed, undefeated, carrot in a box champion. I will miss him.’

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