English comedian Sean Lock, 58, dies after cancer battle

English comedian Sean Lock has died from cancer aged 58. The television star was best known for his dry wit and deadpan humour on panel shows 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Lock’s agent, Off The Kerb Productions, broke the sad news in a statement Wednesday, revealing the father-of-three passed away at his home, surrounded by family.

“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Sean Lock,” the statement read. “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 have started to pour in for the comedian, with the official 8 Out of 10 Cats Twitter account leading the way: “Sean Lock was a brilliant writer, a phenomenal stand-up, a comedy genius. Our thoughts are with his family after this devastating news. We will miss him greatly. There was no-one like him.”

Sean Lock was a brilliant writer, a phenomenal stand-up, a comedy genius. Our thoughts are with his family after this devastating news. We will miss him greatly. There was no-one like him. pic.twitter.com/qhji79K5V1

— 8 Out of 10 Cats (@8Outof10Cats) August 18, 2021

English stand-up comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted: “Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man.

“First professional comedian I knew. Met him when I booked him for a gig early 90s. Told him I wouldn’t mind being a comedian one day & I must have been over exited and trying to make him laugh coz he said ‘can I give you some advice then’, I said ‘yeah’. He said, ‘tone it down’.”

Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French said: “Oh. Sean Lock. A giantly funny and utterly lovely man. Will be massively missed.”