'We have lost the best of the best'

How comedy world is mourning Sean Lock

The outpouring of grief over the death of Sean Lock at the age of 58 is testament to how adored he was across the comedy world. Here are just some of the hundreds of tributes from those who knew him:

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.
— Bill Bailey (@BillBailey) August 18, 2021

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. pic.twitter.com/4ZH8HRQrIU
— Jon Richardson (@RonJichardson) August 18, 2021

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.
— Alan Davies (@alandavies1) August 18, 2021

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
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) August 18, 2021

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.
— Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) August 18, 2021

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.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) August 18, 2021

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.
— Ross Noble (@realrossnoble) August 18, 2021

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. https://t.co/DtfNVejB7l
— Phil Wang (@PhilNWang) August 18, 2021

Lost one of my oldest friends today. We spent years touring together and trapped in a writing room for months at at a time willing funny to come. And with him it always did. Glad we were part of each others life.https://t.co/EAGFpwpzyT
— Mark Lamarr (@lamarr_mark) August 18, 2021

I saw Sean Lock & Bill Bailey do Rock at the pleasance in about 94, where I think Stewart Lee and me (and maybe 2 others) were the entire audience. Crazy to think that was possible! One of my favourite Fringe memories. RIP Sean. Like everyone in comedy, I’m gutted by this news.
— Richard K Herring (@Herring1967) August 18, 2021

Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man. 💔
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 18, 2021

Awful news about the brilliant Sean Lock. One of the all-time greats. A lovely man, and just as funny off-screen as on.
— Adam Kay (@amateuradam) August 18, 2021

Ever since my first 8 Out of 10 Cats a decade ago, Taxi drivers across the land have told me how much they loved him. Everyone did. Whenever I did Countdown I’d sit in dictionary corner & laugh at his jokes & if I made him laugh it didn’t matter about anyone else. RIP Sean Lock.
— Nick Fuckin’ Helm (@TheNickHelm) August 18, 2021

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.
— Susie Dent 💙 (@susie_dent) August 18, 2021

Sean Lock; A brilliant comedian, obviously, but just a genuinely hilarious guy too and one of the soundest guys in comedy, from when I first started to when we last had a laugh together. Very sad news.
— Kevin Bridges (@kevinbridges86) August 18, 2021

Just heartbroken. My favourite comedian. I can’t process the idea that Sean Lock isn’t around anymore. I’m beyond sad. God bless you, Sean. Loving prayers to you and your family 💚🙏💔
— Michael Smiley (@mrmichaelsmiley) August 18, 2021

Just heard that Sean Lock has died. The usual form of words is well known in such circumstances but honestly I can hardly bring myself to write them. This feels too absurd to be true. Utterly, utterly horrific. Like opening the front door to the find that the street has gone.
— Simon Evans (@TheSimonEvans) August 18, 2021

The Sean Lock news has made me very sad. Of course his stand up and panel show work was exemplary but 15 Storeys High is a truly beautiful thing. I’ll really miss working with him and trying to make him laugh. A sad day for comedy.
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) August 18, 2021

Sean was a comedic giant and one of the kindest men. His comic mind was incomparable and his rants were exquisite. He had time for everyone, and treated me exactly the same, from when I was a researcher to when I became an overly excitable teammate. I’ll miss you Sean ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kI6QBEr0hu
— Rosie Jones (@josierones) August 18, 2021

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.
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) August 18, 2021

Stunned to hear about Sean Lock. Worked with him without ever getting to know him; witnessed his talent from an intimidated distance. It’s an enormous loss to comedy.
— Mark Watson, the guy with that book, 'Contacts' (@watsoncomedian) August 18, 2021

Sean Lock was the first comedian I saw live, Leeds festival in 2002 and became my favourite comedian. He made me want to get up on stage. I watched everything he did. I was even lucky enough to support him a few times. The nicest man ever. Absolutely devastated. Rest easy Sean.
— Lloyd Griffith (@LloydGriffith) August 18, 2021

15 storeys high blew my mind when I first saw it. Like a modern day hancocks half hour. Sean Lock and @wongrel one of the funniest double acts ever.
— Alistair Green (@mralistairgreen) August 18, 2021

Shocked and saddened at the passing of Sean Lock. I commissioned 15 Storeys High when I ran BBC3 and thought it was one of the funniest, coolest, most inventive shows we ever did.
— Stuart Murphy (@stuartmurphy100) August 18, 2021

So sad to hear about Sean Lock. He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. 15 Stories High was was absolute genius. I’ll miss him so much.
— Diane Morgan (@missdianemorgan) August 18, 2021