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Jimmy Carr leads flood of tributes to ‘brilliant and lovely’ Sean Lock after tragic death

Watch: 8 Out Of 10 Cats comedian Sean Lock dies aged 58

Jimmy Carr has called the death of Sean Lock "brutal news" and led the tributes to his 8 Out Of 10 Cats companion after the comedian passed away from cancer aged 58.

Lock's agent said on Wednesday the star of the Channel 4 panel show and BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High died at home from cancer surrounded by his family.

8 Out Of 10 Cats host Carr tweeted: "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 Jon Richardson, who worked with Lock on 8 Out Of 10 Cats wrote: "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."

Read more: 11 of Sean Lock’s best jokes

<p>8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN: Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson and Sean Locke are all back for a New Year special of the word and number quiz. </p>
Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson and Sean Lock on the popular Channel 4 quiz.

QI star Alan Davies sent his condolences to Lock's wife and children as he revealed he knew the comedian had been secretly battling cancer for some time.

He 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."

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27:  (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED)  (L to R) Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr, Lee Evans, Jack Dee and Jonathan Ross attend the book launch of
Sean Lock with fellow comedians Jimmy Carr, Lee Evans, Jack Dee and Jonathan Ross in 2011. (Getty)

Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey 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."

Stephen Fry recalled working with Lock on QI, hailing the comedian as 'completely brilliant'.

He tweeted: "Oh no, what horrible news… 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."

Ross Noble shared on Twitter: "With the passing of Sean Lock we have lost the best of the best. He made me laugh like few others do. A massive talent who made stand up look effortless and approached his illness in the same no nonsense way he approached life. A great loss."

Comedian Janey Godley fondly remembered working with Lock, saying: "Sean Lock off stage, sitting telling you a story that will make you laugh so hard it hurts your kidneys, is the best experience anyone can have."

Watch: Sean Lock reads old love letters on 8 Out of 10 Cats

Countdown's Susie Dent, who worked with Lock on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, said: "I wish I had the words to describe the exceptional man that was Sean Lock. But today I don’t, and I think he might have liked it that way."

Eddie Izzard said: "So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed."

Ricky Gervais tweeted: "Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man."

David Baddiel recalled touring with Lock, saying: "Devastated to hear about Sean Lock. He toured with Newman and Baddiel on our last show together. One of the funniest men I ever knew."

John Bishop confessed: "I am shocked and saddened at the news of the loss of Sean Lock. He was a brilliant comedian but more importantly he was a great person on so many levels. He will be missed hugely."

Sean Lock on stage at the Mencap April Fools charity comedy night, at the Hammersmith Apollo in west London.
The UK comedy circuit is mourning the loss of Sean Lock, who has died from cancer aged 58. (PA)

Mark Steel said: "Oh bless you Sean Lock, brilliantly funny, brilliantly grumpy, brilliantly bonkers, magnificent company, a proper comic."

Mock The Week's Angela Barnes wrote: "Ah man, rest in peace Sean Lock, thanks for the laughs. And 100% f*** cancer."

Katy Brand said: "Sean Lock was a brilliant comedian and I always learned something watching him work. Thoughts with his friends and family. Very shocking and sad. RIP."

Handout photo dated 16/12/14 of comedian Sean Lock, best known for panel shows 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, as well as sitcom 15 Storeys High, who has died from cancer at the age of 58. Issue date: Wednesday August 18, 2021.
Sean died surrounded by his family. (PA)

Have I Got News For You regular Phil Wang tweeted: "So dreadfully sad. Sean Lock was one of the best. A rare comedian who could make you laugh like a drain if you’d never seen comedy before or had watched it every day of your life. God damn it."

Omid Djalili said: "Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Sean Lock. Wonderful human being and easily one of the funniest on and off the stage. Love that he shunned social media and remained aloof from petty squabbles. Devastating loss."

Comedian Lee Mack, who was a close friend, said in a statement: “I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heart-breaking.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Lee Mack during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening.
Lee Mack has paid tribute to his friend Sean Lock, who has died aged 58. (PA)

“A true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much.”

A statement from Lock's agent 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.

“We kindly request that the privacy of his family and children is respected at this difficult time.”

Watch: The celebrities we lost in 2020