Comedian Sean Lock has died aged 58 after a battle with cancer. In his three-decade career, Lock made appearances across numerous UK comedy shows such as QI, The Last Leg, Have I Got News For You, and Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats, where he assumed the role of team captain. He also co-created and starred in cult sitcom 15 Storeys High, which was adapted from a radio series into a TV sitcom and also starred Doctor Strange actor Benedict Wong.
In a press statement his agency, 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.”
Off The Kerb added: “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.”
Lock was celebrated for his observational wit and surreal comedy style. After starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Lock won the Best Live Comic award at the 2000 British Comedy Awards and was nominated for numerous accolades throughout the years.
Outside of his own works, Lock also penned material for the likes of Mark Lamarr, Lee Evans and Bill Bailey. Paying his respects, Bailey said: “It’s heart-breaking to lose my dearest friend Sean Lock, he was a true original, a wonderful comic.”
Lock’s final television performance came in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, an amalgamation of Countdown and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, which has been on-air since 2012.
Speaking on Lock’s passing, former QI host Stephen Fry said: “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.”
Rest in peace, Sean Lock.
