Sean Lock has died at the age of 58.
The comedian, best known for being a team captain on Jimmy Carr’s panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, as well as appearing on sitcom 15 Storeys High, died following a battle with cancer.
A statement from his agent Off The Kerb Productions to the PA news agency on Wednesday morning confirmed his 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 already 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.’
His co-star Jon Richardson 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.’
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.’
Richard Osman added: ‘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 #RIPSean.’
Eddie Izzard mused on Lock’s talent as they shared a tweet: ‘So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed.’
Lock was known for his surreal content and deadpan style and also appeared on QI, The Last Leg, Have I Got News for You, and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
In 2000, he won the gong for the best live stand-up at the British Comedy Awards.
Lock made one of his first professional TV appearances in 1993, starring alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature TV show Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.
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.
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.’
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