LAST UPDATE | 18 Aug 2021

THE WORLD OF comedy is leading the tributes to “one of the very best” following the death of Sean Lock aged 58.

The TV star and comedian died from cancer at home surrounded by his family, a statement from his agent Off The Kerb productions said.

Lock, known for his surreal content and deadpan style, was a team captain on Jimmy Carr’s Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and spin-off 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

He also wrote and starred in the popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High.

A statement from 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 is respected at this difficult time.”

Jon Richardson, who was a team captain alongside Lock on Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, tweeted: “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.”

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. pic.twitter.com/4ZH8HRQrIU

— Jon Richardson (@RonJichardson) August 18, 2021

Comedian Lee Mack, who was a close friend, paid tribute 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.”

Jimmy Carr said he had been “laughing and crying” watching clips of the show after the news was announced.

Brutal news about Sean Lock today.
I loved him. I’m watching clips of him right now - laughing & crying. I’ll miss him so much.

— Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) August 18, 2021

He wrote on Twitter: “Brutal news about Sean Lock today. I loved him. I’m watching clips of him right now – laughing & crying.

“I’ll miss him so much.”

He shared a link to a YouTube video of American musician Warren Zevon singing Keep Me In Your Heart, with Carr saying: “I can’t find the words but this says it.”

Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain described Lock as a “brilliantly funny man” and shared an anecdote about doing a gig with him in the 1990s.

Mc’ed for Sean Lock in 98: his closer was an argument with his wife where he’d scream “You don’t know me” and he’d rip off his suit and he was wearing a full Riddler costume underneath. But, he’d let the energy trickle away totally, and go ‘Thought that would go better”. Joyous. https://t.co/SdKr820fpC

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 18, 2021

Susie Dent, who worked with Lock on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, has said she doesn’t have the words to describe the comedian after his death.

I wish I had the words to describe the exceptional man that was Sean Lock. But today I don’t, and I think he might have liked it that way.

— Susie Dent 💙 (@susie_dent) August 18, 2021

Born in Woking, Surrey, the comedy star left school in the early 1980s and began working on building sites but developed skin cancer, which he blamed on over-exposure to the sun. He made a full recovery and focused on a career in comedy.

One of his first professional TV appearances was in 1993, starring alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature TV show Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.

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.

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) August 18, 2021

He script-edited the 1998 BBC Two series, Is It Bill Bailey? and had his own show on BBC Radio 4 called 15 Minutes Of Misery, which was later expanded into TV series 15 Storeys High.

The show was set in a tower block and centred on a pessimistic character called Vince (played by Lock) and his flatmate Errol, played by Benedict Wong.

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 Fry (@stephenfry) August 18, 2021

In 2005 Lock became a regular team captain on the panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, a role he held for 18 series.

Between 2006 and 2007 he hosted Channel 4 series, TV Heaven, Telly Hell, in which he invited celebrities to share their own selection of TV’s triumphs and tragedies.

Guests on the show included Alan Davies, Johnny Vaughan, David Mitchell, Bill Bailey, Johnny Vegas and Nick Hancock.

Speaking at the time, Lock told the PA news agency, he said: “I think one of my all-time favourite shows is Catchphrase with Roy Walker. I loved it. I used to like Roy’s restraint, because, for a comedian, the opportunity to take the mick out of some of the ridiculous answers could have been too hard to resist.”

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.