THE WORLD of comedy is in mourning today following the death of Sean Lock, who passed away at the age of 58.
Lock died at home surrounded by his family following a lengthy battle with cancer.
The comedian was best known for his dead-pan style and was a much loved team captain on Channel 4's panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and the popular spin-off 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
It’s heartbreaking to lose my dearest friend Sean Lock , he was a true original, a wonderful comic. All my thoughts are with his family.
— Bill Bailey (@BillBailey) August 18, 2021
He gained notoriety during the 90s but shot to mainstream prominence in the early-to-mid 00s with appearances on shows like QI, Have I Got News For You and Live At The Apollo.
Comedians from all over Britain and Ireland flocked to social media this morning to pay tribute to him.
Bill Bailey said it was heartbreaking to lose his "dearest friend," describing Lock at as a "true original" and "a wonderful comic".
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.— Jon Richardson (@RonJichardson) August 18, 2021
Lee Mack also praised Lock's originality "in both comedy and life" while Jon Richardson - Lock's fellow team captain on 8 Out Of 10 Cats for many years - said he had an "incredible comedic brain".
"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," Richardson wrote on Twitter.
"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."
Jason Manford sent a poignant post, revealing that he'd texted Lock a few weeks to tell him how much he missed him, and urged others to reach out to their friends because you never know when it could be "the last time".
Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man. 💔
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 18, 2021
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
Susie Dent, who worked with Lock on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, said: "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."
Meanwhile Rick Gervais described Lock as "one of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation," as well as a "lovely man".
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
Lock, who is survived by three children as well as his wife Anoushka, was a avid supporter of Chelsea FC, and the club took to social to add to the tributes.
Everyone at Chelsea FC is saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Lock.
Sean was a much-loved comedian, fan of the Blues and a regular at Stamford Bridge. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. 💙 pic.twitter.com/SHva9fl5ZJ— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2021
"Everyone at Chelsea FC is saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Lock. Sean was a much-loved comedian, fans of the Blues and a regular at Stamford Bridge. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
Sean Lock’s official obituary. RIP legend ❤️pic.twitter.com/rhXKdteCb0
— Niall (@niallmoran_) August 18, 2021
Lock was diagnosed with skin cancer in 1990, attributing the condition to overexposure to the sun while working as a builder in the early 1980s.
He worked a series of jobs as a young man, including spending three months as a goatherd in France.
Lock was raised as a Catholic but said he became an atheist when he was about 14-years-old.
See More: Sean Lock, Tributes, Twitter
