WELL-KNOWN COMEDIAN Sean Lock has passed away at the age of 58, his family say.
The British comedian has been a staple on TV comedy shows over the years, particularly on the popular panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, hosted by Jimmy Carr, on which he was a team captain.
Lock also made regular appearances on other high-profile shows including QI, Have I Got News For You, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and The Last Leg.
Lock had been suffering with cancer, and passed away at home surrounded by his family, his agent announced in a sombre statement today.
"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," the statement reads.
Comedian Sean Lock has passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer (Image: Channel 4)"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."
Friends, colleagues and fans have been paying tribute to the popular comedian since the news broke, with Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain writing that it was "desperately sad news".
"Such a brilliantly funny man."
Comedian Jonny Sharples wrote: "The highest compliment that you can pay Sean Lock is that he made it all look so effortless, that the wit he had was clearly so natural that if he wasn't up on stage telling jokes he would been saying the exact same things to his mates at work or his friends at the pub. RIP."
The highest compliment that you can pay Sean Lock is that he made it all look so effortless, that the wit he had was clearly so natural that if he wasn't up on stage telling jokes he would been saying the exact same things to his mates at work or his friends at the pub. RIP.
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) August 18, 2021
Bill Bailey said it was "heartbreaking to lose my dearest friend Sean Lock, he was a true original, a wonderful comic.
"All my thoughts are with his family."
Diane Morgan said his sitcom 15 Stories High was "absolute genius", adding "I'll miss him so much".
Journalist Stephanie Hirst said she was "truly saddened at the passing of the brilliant Sean Lock. His brilliance will be sorely missed."
Truly saddened at the passing of the brilliant Sean Lock. His brilliance will be sorely missed. The amount of times I’ve almost wet myself laughing at him is countless.
Sleep well Sean.
I genuinely couldn’t stop laughing for days at this.pic.twitter.com/PWrY3LC85s— Stephanie Hirst (@StephanieHirst) August 18, 2021
Irish comedian David O'Doherty added: "Rest in peace Sean Lock.
"A true natural comedian who taught me so much."
