Stars we lost in 2021: Sean Lock

One of the stars we lost in 2021 was Sean Lock, best known for his comedic appearances on panel TV shows. He died aged.

Sean was best known for his appearances on the comedy panel show, '8 Out of 10 Cats', hosted by Jimmy Carr. He had also appeared in 'Have I got News for You', 'QI', 'The Last Leg' and 'The Big Fat Quiz of the Year'. He was a regular on many people's screens.

A statement from his agent, 'Off The Kerb Productions,' commented after Lock's death: "He died at home from cancer, surrounded by his family."

Sean had a loving family - his wife and three children - whom Sean praised on many occasions. He particularly commended his wife for taking care of their family, saying she had 'excellent maternal instincts'. As his agent stated, "Sean was also a cherished husband and father to three children. Sean will be sorely missed by all that knew him."

Sean explained in an interview with TimeOut in 2010 that, although both of their lives are demanding, they found a common ground and had a good work/life balance: "Every time I come back me and the wife have arguments and I fall out with the kids. The problem is she doesn't know anything about how hard my job is and likewise I've forgotten how hard her job is. That's the hard bit, but you get over it."

Jimmy Carr from '8 Out of 10 Cats' immediately took to Twitter, sharing his love for the late comedian. They worked together for an incredible 18 series. He wrote: "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."

Over twenty years working with Channel Four, one can only imagine Sean was indeed part of the family. Richard Osman explained why the comedian was so successful in his trade: "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."

Ricky Gervais and Lee Mack also joined in sharing their loss with the public, remembering a man who had been just as funny and transparent behind the camera as he was in front of it.
Gervais said, "Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man."

Lee Mack, who was in fact one of Sean Lock's greatest friends, said, "A true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much."

Sean Lock started his career as a stand up comedian and, in 2000, won the award for Best Live Comic at the British Comedy Awards. He was also nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award. He was, as many describe him, a genuinely funny guy.

Scottish fellow stand up comedian, Kevin Bridges, described Lock as "brilliant comedian, obviously, but just a genuinely hilarious guy too and one of the soundest guys in comedy." Diane Morgan, actress and comedian, also paid tribute, saying: "He was one of the funniest people I've ever met."

Lock himself was a big fan of comedy and he appreciated it when people got it right on the comedy scene. He said: “I think one of my all-time favourite shows is Catchphrase with Roy Walker. I loved it. I used to like Roy’s restraint, because, for a comedian, the opportunity to take the mick out of some of the ridiculous answers could have been too hard to resist.” Sometimes less is more.

He had said this on 'TV Heaven, Telly Hell', the hilarious Channel 4 series, which was produced by Lock. He invited celebrities to talk about TV, sharing their own favourite and least favourite moments on television. Guests on the show included Alan Davies, Johnny Vaughan, David Mitchell, Bill Bailey, Johnny Vegas and Nick Hancock.

Initially a radio show, Sean had created '15 Storeys High' for Radio 4. In 2002 it was made into a television series, and, although the radio shows were filmed in front of a live audience, the TV version was not. It is a hilarious British sitcom, filled with innovative ideas and creativity, earning it a nomination at the BAFTAS.

'15 Storeys High' came from his own radio show called '15 Minutes of Misery', which was broadcast weekly on "Late Night on 4". He came to produce his own show thanks to earning himself a spot on the Radio in 'Is It Bill Bailey?' In fact, he was writing gigs for the same Bill Bailey which, in turn, got him into that job in the first place.

Sean Lock, at the beginning of his career, tried out many different jobs. His most bizarre had to be that of a goatherd. He accompanied a hippy to the south of France where he spent three months with the animals.

Another one of his jobs as a younger man was as a labourer. However, while he was out working on building sites, he developed a malignant melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. Although, at the time, he got the all clear, his long battle with cancer finally ended his life many years later.