Entertainment
Sean Lock ‘still joking in his final few days’ say Bill Bailey and Harry Hill as comedy legend dies aged 58
Sean Lock was one of Britain’s best-loved comics (Picture: Getty Images)
Sean Lock’s friends have revealed he was joking and laughing right to the end as Bill Bailey and Harry Hill opened up about his final few days.
The comedy legend, who won fans with his stand-up and appearances on panel shows, died aged 58 from cancer.
While Lock’s battle with cancer was not made public, his closest friends including Bailey and Hill kept in close contact.
‘Even in his last few days, we were still having a laugh, still joking, still coming up with ideas,’ Bailey recalled. ‘We had great conversations. I brought in my guitar and sang him his favourite Johnny Cash songs.’
Hill added that, after Lock phoned him to tell him he was ill, he would meet up with him regularly.
‘He struggled with [the illness] – he went through all the same emotions anyone in that position would experience,’ he told The Telegraph. ‘But he was stoical about it. Because he was so bright, he read up on all the latest treatments. He knew much more about that side of medicine than I ever did.’
Explaining that the comic’s sense of humour never faltered, Hill added that Lock called him from a hospice.
‘I asked him what it was like, and he said: “It’s okay actually and the sex is amazing.”‘
Lock’s management company, Off The Kerb Productions, announced the news of his death, saying in a statement: ‘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 poured in from his close friends and fellow comedy stars, including Jon Richardson, Jimmy Carr, and Lee Mack.
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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.’
MORE : Channel 4 to pay tribute to Sean Lock with night of dedicated programming
