Sean Lock dies at 58

Tributes flood in to a 'true original in comedy and in life'

Sean Lock has died from cancer at the age of 58,

His agent Off The Kerb confirmed: ‘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.’

The world of comedy was quick to pay tribute with Lee Mack calling the news ‘heart-breaking’ and said Lock was ‘a true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much.’

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.'

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.'

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

Richard Osman said: '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.'

>> More tributes from the world of comedy

In 1990, Lock as diagnosed with skin cancer, which he blamed on over-exposure to the sun when he worked on building site in his youth.

He said it was only noticed by a one-night stand who told him 'there was something weird on my back’

‘I asked her what it looked like, and she said it was a patch of skin which was black, misshapen, with a crusty texture and about the size of a 10p piece,’ he said in a 2010 interview.

‘I had no idea how long it had been there. It didn't hurt or itch, so there was nothing that would have drawn my attention to it. Being in the small of my back, it was not something you could easily see while looking in a mirror.’

He went to see a GP who referred him to a dermatologist at Guy's Hospital, London who discovered it was a malignant melanoma, and he had it removed, making a full recovery.

Lock was the first comedian ever to perform at the Wembley Arena, as the support act for David Baddiel and Rob Newman in 1993.

In 2000, he was named best live comic at the British Comedy Awards, and in 2002 make the BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High, set in a tower block, which ran for two series and has become a cult hit.

But he got an even wider audience from his panel show appearances, including 18 series as team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Would I Lie To You.

He leaves a long-term partner Anoushka, and two daughters and a son, aged between about 12 and 17.

Here are some of his stand-up highlights: