Tributes pour in for comedian Sean Lock who has died of cancer at the age of 58

Tributes have poured in for the comedian Sean Lock who has died of cancer at the age of 58.

The comedian, known for his deadpan style, wrote and starred in the popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High, filmed on the Brandon Estate, Kennington.

A statement from his agent, Off the Kerb Productions, 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.”

Mr Lock was regular on Jimmy Carr’s Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats and the spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Big names across the entertainment industry including Lee Mack, Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr, and David Baddiel have been paying tribute today to the comedian.

Martin Trenaman, who co-created the sitcom 15 Storeys High with Mr Lock, took to Twitter to send his condolences.

He wrote: “I’m utterly devastated to lose my dear friend Sean Lock. A comic giant and a fiercely loyal, generous friend. My thoughts are with his family.”

I’m utterly devastated to lose my dear friend Sean Lock. A comic giant and a fiercely loyal, generous friend. My thoughts are with his family.

— martin trenaman (@TrenamanMartin) August 18, 2021

Set in a tower block in South London, 15 Storeys High followed main characters Vince Clark, played by Sean Lock, and Errol Spears, played by Benedict Wong.

Although flat in which Vince lives was actually filmed in a studio with large pictures of the adjacent tower blocks as a backdrop, all other flats in both series were real and located in the Brandon Estate, Kennington.

Lock’s character Vince worked as a lifeguard at, the now closed, Ladywell Leisure Centre in Lewisham in the first series.

The sitcom also featured the iconic Elephant and Castle Shopping centre in several episodes, notably the Sundial restaurant and the Bowling alley.

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

Comedian Joe Lycett said: “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.”

Mr Lock went on to become a regular on Channel 4 comedy shows since 2005.

A spokesman for Channel 4 said: “[We are] incredibly sad to learn of the loss of one of our greatest comedians, Sean Lock.

“A much loved part of the C4 family, he’s played a huge role on the channel for over 2 decades and we’ll miss him.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”