Comedian and actor Bill Bailey has paid tribute to his 'dearest friend' Sean Lock after the 8 Out of 10 Cats star died from cancer at the age of 58.
Bailey, also a talented musician and performer who won the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, was one of a host of stars to pay tribute to Sean whose death was confirmed today (August 18).
Bill, who like Sean had appeared on many TV panels shows including Have I Got News For You, said the loss of Sean was 'heatbreaking'.
Read more: Sean Lock dies aged 58
Sean had script-edited for Bill Bailey's 1998 BBC Two series, Is It Bill Bailey, and in a Bill, who was born in Bath and grew up in Keynsham, near Bristol, said: "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."
Fellow 8 Out Of 10 Cats star Jimmy Carr said: "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."
Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais said: "Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man."
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Eddie Izzard said: "So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed."
Close friend Lee Mack said: "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."
Josh Widdicombe wrote: "Such awful, sad news about Sean Lock.
"He was an astonishing comedian who had a way of looking at the world like no one else, you were excited to hear what he had to say every time he opened his mouth.
"My thoughts are with his family today."
Alan Davies tweeted: "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."
Pointless host Richard Osman said: "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."
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