8 Out of 10 Cats star Sean Lock has passed away, aged 58.
The comedian's agent confirmed today (August 18) that he died at home after battling cancer, and was surrounded by family.
"It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Sean Lock," Off the Kerb Productions said.
"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."
Channel 4 announced that it has changed its scheduling on Thursday, August 19 to pay tribute to the late comedian. His stand-up comedy special Sean Lock: Keep it Light will air at 10pm, while a classic episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown will air straight after at 11pm.
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Lock was a team captain on panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, a role he held for 18 series, as well as its hugely popular spinoff series Cats Does Countdown. He also appeared on a number of other shows including QI, Have I Got News for You and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer Ian Katz said in a statement that Lock was "one of the most original voices in comedy and one of the loveliest people too". He added: "Sean’s bone dry wit helped make 8 Out of 10 Cats one of Channel 4’s best loved shows and we owe him a huge debt of thanks for all the years of laughter and fun.
"Sean Lock is a much-loved part of the Channel 4 family and has played a pivotal role on the channel for over two decades. He has brought so much laughter and joy both on and off screen. We will miss him hugely. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
Born in Woking, Surrey, Lock left school in the early 1980s. His TV career began in the early 1990s, making one of his first appearances on Newman and Baddiel in Pieces.
He also worked as a script editor on BBC Two's Is It Bill Bailey? and had his own BBC Radio 4 show called 15 Minutes of Misery, later expanded into TV series 15 Storeys High.
Since the sad news was announced, a flood of tributes have come in, with comedian David Baddiel calling Lock "one of the funniest men I ever knew".
QI's 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."
Fellow comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Bill Bailey said in his own tribute: "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."
Pointless presenter and 8 Out of 10 Cats executive producer Richard Osman added: "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."
Many more tributes have been shared on social media:
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
