RIP SEAN
Sean Lock dead aged 58 – 8 Out Of 10 Cats star dies from cancer after ‘quietly wrestling’ with illness
COMEDIAN Sean Lock has tragically died aged 58 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
The star was best known for his deadpan humour as he appeared on panel shows 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
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His agent confirmed today the dad-of-three had passed away from cancer surrounded by his family.
A statement from Off The Kerb Productions said: "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.
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"We kindly request that the privacy of his family and children is respected at this difficult time."
The star was previously diagnosed with skin cancer in 1990 while he worked as a labourer on a building site but it is not clear if the disease returned.
🔵 Read our Sean Lock blog for the latest tributes
He went on to make a full recovery and has since worked with others to help raise awareness of the disease.
Lock's final public appearance was in December when he appeared in a video for charity Edible London.
Wearing a black turtle-neck jumper, Sean looked thinner than he has in previous years.
Tributes have already started flooding in from the comedy world.
8 Out Of 10 Cats host 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 Lee Mack, who was a close friend, paid tribute 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 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown co-star Jon Richardson said: "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.
"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."
'INFLUENTIAL'
Ricky Gervais said: "Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man."
Bill Bailey, who worked with Lock in 1998 when the comic edited his script for Is It Bill Bailey, also paid tribute.
He wrote: "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."
Jason Manford shared the heartbreaking final text he sent Lock as he paid tribute.
While comedian Alan Davies said: "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."
RISE TO FAME
Lock was born in Woking, Surrey, and left school in the 1980s before taking jobs as a builder.
He blamed over-exposure in the sun on his skin cancer, which he was tested for after a woman noticed "something weird" on his back.
The star had the mark removed and went on to make a full recovery and enjoy a long stint in comedy.
His TV career began in 1993 when he starred alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature show Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.
Lock also edited the script for the 1998 BBC Two series, Is It Bill Bailey? and had his own show on BBC Radio 4 called 15 Minutes Of Misery.
This was later expanded into TV series 15 Storeys High, where Lock played a cynical character called Vince who lived in a tower block with Benedict Wong as his flatmate.
Lock was also praised for his live comedy and won the gong for best live stand-up at the British Comedy Awards in 2000.
In 2005, the comic became a team captain on panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and went on to appear for 18 series.
Guests on the show included Alan Davies, Johnny Vaughan, David Mitchell, Bill Bailey, Johnny Vegas and Nick Hancock.
A year later, Lock was given his own TV show - TV Heaven, Telly Hell - where celeb guests selected their likes and dislikes.
'MUCH LOVED'
Lock appeared on Jimmy Carr's Big Fat Quiz of the Year alongside James Corden in 2006 and also performed a gig at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.
He also made appearances on panel shows including Have I Got News for You, QI, and They Think It's All Over.
Lock is married to Anoushka Nara Giltsoff and the pair have two daughters born in 2004 and 2006 and a son born in 2009 together.
Channel 4 said in a statement: "Incredibly sad to learn of the loss of one of our greatest comedians, Sean Lock", the channel wrote on Twitter.
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"A much loved part of the C4 family he's played a huge role on the channel for over two decades, and we'll miss him.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
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