Entertainment
Sean Lock dead: Lee Mack, Bill Bailey and Eddie Izzard lead tributes as comedian dies aged 58
Sean Lock died after battling cancer, his agent confirmed (Picture: Getty Images)
Tributes have poured in for comedian Sean Lock, who has died at the age of 58.
Lock’s agent announced on Wednesday that the 8 Out of 10 Cats star died after a cancer battle.
Reacting to the news, his close friend and comedian Lee Mack said: ‘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.’
Comedian Dara O’Briain tweeted: ‘This is desperately sad news. Such a brilliantly funny man.’
His former 8 Out of 10 Cats co-star Jon Richardson said: ‘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.’
Eddie Izzard wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed.’
Passing no his condolences, Richard Osman said: ‘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.’
BBC Sports presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘Awful news. Such a funny man. #RIPSean.’
Comedian Bill Bailey said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to lose his ‘dearest friend’, praising him as a ‘true original, a wonderful comic’.
‘All my thoughts are with his family,’ he said.
David Baddiel expressed his shock and wrote in a Twitter post: ‘Devastated to hear about Sean Lock. He toured with Newman and Baddiel on our last show together. One of the funniest men I ever knew.’
A statement from Channel 4 said: ‘Incredibly sad to learn of the loss of one of our greatest comedians, Sean Lock. A much loved part of the C4 family he’s played a huge role on the channel for over 2 decades, and we’ll miss him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Lock was best known for shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and TV Heaven, Telly Hell (Picture: PA)
Announcing Lock’s death, his agent Off The Kerb Productions told PA: ‘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 starred on 8 Out of 10 Cats alongside Jimmy Carr and Jon Richardson (Picture: Matt Squire, Channel 4)
‘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.’
In 2005, Lock became a regular team captain on Channel 4 panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, a role he held for 18 series alongside host Jimmy Carr.
Between 2006 and 2007 he hosted TV Heaven, Telly Hell, in which he invited celebrities to share their own selection of TV’s triumphs and tragedies.
More: Celebrity Deaths
Lock also appeared on panel shows including Have I Got News for You, QI, and They Think It’s All Over.
In 2000, he won the gong for the best live stand-up at the British Comedy Awards.
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