Stephen Fry says best QI episodes always starred Sean Lock: ‘Such complete brilliance in every comic direction’

Sean Lock has died aged 58 (Picture: Steve Meddle/REX/Shutterstock)

Stephen Fry has said that the best episodes of QI were the ones to star Sean Lock, as he spoke out after the comedy legend’s death.

Lock, who also made his name as a beloved stand-up comic and on panel shows like 8 Out Of 10 Cats, died from cancer at the age of 58.

Joining many others who have paid tribute, Stephen said: ‘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.’

Stephen, 61, hosted QI from 2001, when the quiz show began, to 2016, when Sandi Toksvig took over.

Lock was a regular guest, with many fans remembering some of his best moments as the news of his death broke.

The team behind QI wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of Sean Lock’s passing. Sean was a QI regular right from the first series, and helped to shape the show with his fantastically sharp wit and anarchic good humour. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.’

One fan recalled attending a recording of QI when the panel were discussing how they like to cook cauliflower.

Weighing in, Lock explained: ‘I like to do it in a bin with loads of other rubbish. It all piles up round there, then you leave it out and the magical men take it out in a van.’

Another memorable moment saw Lock leaving the panel and audiences in stitches with a joke about swimming with dolphins.

‘It’s terrible when they reject you, that’s horrible. And all your family and all your therapists are standing on the beach, freezing cold. And there’s loads of dolphins just p***ing off back to the sea. And you look round and you go, “I suppose we better carry on with the medication then. I mean, at least we tried!”‘

One more favourite came when Stephen got caught up in a debate about the Latin names for different bird species.

Clearly unimpressed with the conversation over the other side of the room, Lock started searching about under his desk, before joking he was being pulled under by a strong force as teammate Alan Davies tried to pull him back.

‘Sorry about that, I’m so sorry,’ Lock said as he made it back into his chair. ‘It’s a portal to the underworld here.’

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 poured 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.’

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: Stephen Fry

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.’

MORE : Sean Lock fought skin cancer 30 years ago after one night stand spotted melanoma on his back

MORE : ‘I loved him’: Jimmy Carr speaks out on death of 8 Out Of 10 Cats co-star Sean Lock