Sean Lock, ‘influential’ comic of a generation, dies at 58

British comedian Sean Lock, hailed by compatriot Ricky Gervais as “one of the most influential comedians of a generation”, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 58 years old.

The “8 out of 10” star died at home surrounded by family, Lock’s agent confirmed to the Guardian.

“Sean was one of Britain’s best comedians, his boundless creativity, lightning wit and absurd brilliance in his work marked him as a unique voice in British comedy,” said his management team , Off the Curb Productions, in a statement. “Sean was also a cherished husband and the father of three children. Sean will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Born in Woking, Surrey, Lock dropped out of school in the early 1980s and began working in construction. He then developed skin cancer, which he blamed on overexposure to the sun, Variety reported. However, he made a full recovery and then focused on launching his acting career.

The British television personality – known for his absurd, tongue-in-cheek style – first achieved big screen success in 2005 with his 18 seasons as team captain on the show. Jimmy Carr Channel 4’s comedy “8 ​​Out of 10 Cats”, and its spin-off, “8 out of 10 cats are counting down.”

Lock also wrote and starred in the cult BBC sitcom “15 Storeys High”, based on his previous BBC Radio 4 show “15 Minutes of Misery”, and co-hosted “The Big Fat Quiz of the Year” in 2008 against the future host of “Late Late Show” James Corden.

Lock has also toured extensively with his improvisation show “Lockipedia”, in which he worked on topics suggested by his audience. He often described the show as a game of “audience battleships,” as he called a seat number and asked its occupant to give him a topic to riff on.

British comedy bad boy Gervais led the celebrity tributes with a unusually emotional message on Twitter:

“What sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock, ”wrote Gervais, 60. “[He was] one of the funniest and most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man.

Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest and most influential comedians of a generation. A charming man. ??

– Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 18, 2021

Controversial TV presenter Piers Morgan also rang quoting one of Lock’s most famous jokes: “If I could spill my ashes anywhere I want, I would make them spill in Piers Morgan’s eyes.” RIP Sean Lock.

Lock is survived by his wife, Anoushka Nara Giltsoff, and their two daughters and their son.