The comedian Sean Lock, best known for his role on the panel show 8 out of 10 Cats, has died aged 58 following a battle with cancer.
Lock, best known for his deadpan style, was a captain on the popular Channel 4 show as well as its hybrid show 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, opposite Jon Richardson.
He also appeared on other panel shows such as QI, The Last Leg, Have I Got News for You, and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, the BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High, as well as numerous tours as a stand-up comedian.
Lock’s agent from Off The Kerb Productions said 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 to Lock from friends, colleagues and fans soon flooded Twitter as many remembered just how funny and witty the man was.
Brutal news about Sean Lock today.
— Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) August 18, 2021
I loved him. I’m watching clips of him right now - laughing & crying. I’ll miss him so much.
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
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
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
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
Sean Lock ♥️ pic.twitter.com/yU8ixCLvHN
— Kath 💙🙀😷❄️🇪🇺✊🏾 (@KathyBurke) August 18, 2021
With the passing of Sean Lock we have lost the best of the best.He made me laugh like few others do.A massive talent who made stand up look effortless and approached his illness in the same no nonsense way he approached life.A great loss.
— Ross Noble (@realrossnoble) August 18, 2021
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
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) August 18, 2021
Sean Lock was a brilliant comedian and I always learned something watching him work. Thoughts with his friends and family. Very shocking and sad. RIP.
— Katy Brand (@KatyFBrand) August 18, 2021
Sad news about Sean Lock. Funny on stage, hilarious off. We met in 1988 right at the start of our stand up careers. I hadn’t seen him in recent years as he quietly wrestled with illness but I feel very sad today for Anoushka and their children. RIP Locky.
— Alan Davies (@alandavies1) August 18, 2021
Just got a call from @BBCSussex to ask me to come on to talk about the death of Sean Lock. Which was the first I'd heard about it. Bit gutted. Knew he was unwell, however, stunned. Worked with him sporadically, was in awe nearly every time.
— Stephen Grant (@stephencgrant) August 18, 2021
Awful news. Such a funny man. #RIPSean https://t.co/8GM87iowOD
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) August 18, 2021
Gutted to see the news about Sean Lock passing. Genius Comedian. One of the funniest.
— Seán McGowan (@seanmcgowanuk) August 18, 2021
Ahhh gutted to see Sean Lock has passed away…really funny man and also loved the Chels 💙 RIP
— Jody Morris (@morriskid) August 18, 2021
I can't think of a comedian more universally revered and loved by the comedy community at all levels. He was an incredible inspiration for a lot of us who first started watching TV comedy as teenagers. Absolutely heartbreaking, RIP Sean Lock.
— Ken Cheng twitch.tv/kenchengcomedy (@kenchengcomedy) August 18, 2021
real shame to hear about Sean Lock, one of the few comedian's to poke his head above the TV panel show parapet and actually say something funny, interesting, or unexpected. also would sometimes just shout "OH FUCK OFF" instead of coming back w/ a written quip. like a human would.
— Sam Diss (@SamDiss) August 18, 2021
Very few comedians make it look effortless and Sean Lock was one of them. He had the best dry humour and insanely quick wit, it's such sad news to hear he's passed away.
— Parker (@panoparker) August 18, 2021
Sean Lock off stage, sitting telling you a story that will make you laugh so hard it hurts your kidneys, is the best experience anyone can have.
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) August 18, 2021
My favourite Sean Lock joke:
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) August 18, 2021
“How do you stop a dog from humping your leg?
Pick him up and suck him off instead.”
Been chuckling at that from time to time for a decade and a half. What awful news.
Sean Lock was such a gem - he played the ‘mardy’ comedian role so well whilst being phenomenally likeable and so so funny. A huge loss, may he rest in peace ♥️ https://t.co/UzHcrYuQRA
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) August 18, 2021
Sean Lock was the first comedian I saw live, Leeds festival in 2002 and became my favourite comedian. He made me want to get up on stage. I watched everything he did. I was even lucky enough to support him a few times. The nicest man ever. Absolutely devastated. Rest easy Sean.
— Lloyd Griffith (@LloydGriffith) August 18, 2021
So sad to hear about Sean Lock. He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. 15 Stories High was was absolute genius. I’ll miss him so much.
— Diane Morgan (@missdianemorgan) August 18, 2021
Oh man. Sean Lock was such a staple of my teenage comedy viewing. He was so quick witted! What a loss for the world. :(
— hannah strong (@thethirdhan) August 18, 2021
Lee Mack's tribute to Sean Lock has broken me. "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."
— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) August 18, 2021
Many have recalled their favourite jokes from Lock, with Piers Morgan’s being a particular beaut.
'If I could have my ashes spread anywhere I wanted, I'd have them spread in Piers Morgan's eyes.'
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 18, 2021
RIP Sean Lock. pic.twitter.com/tkAswfn6OQ
— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) August 18, 2021
RIP Sean Lock. Truly one of the funniest comedians out there pic.twitter.com/osaBaTJFyk
— Sam Cooper (@SamCooperFilms) August 18, 2021
Saw Sean Lock live several times a very funny man. RIP pic.twitter.com/RjubyTmL1g
— *Followed by 99k Anti-Tories* (@MarieAnnUK) August 18, 2021
One of my favourite routines is a bit I’ve never even seen. But this is how Stewart Lee described it in his book and I can only imagine it was as funny in person as it is in my head. Rest in power, Sean Lock. pic.twitter.com/LntDd28tjQ
— Mitchell Jones (@mitchelljones) August 18, 2021
“What would you like your obituary to say?”
— cb (@claretnblueHQ) August 18, 2021
“Ideally, nooooooo, whyyyyyy.”
Such a funny bloke, great dry sense of humour
RIP Sean Lock pic.twitter.com/yTDF9qjnZE
sean lock has got to be one of the funniest comedians out there, he will be truly missed pic.twitter.com/QorBCcGHMs
— amy 🧚🏼 (@AmyyFrost_) August 18, 2021
And wordsmith Susie Dent, who often has a word for every occasion, was at a loss for word on this occasion – something which she felt Lock would have liked.
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
