Fellow comedians and TV stars have paid tribute to Sean Lock, who has died from cancer aged 58.
Lock, best known for panel shows 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, died at home surrounded by his family, his agent said.
8 Out Of 10 Cats host Jimmy Carr tweeted: “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.”
Ricky Gervais tweeted: “Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man.”
Comedian and presenter Richard Osman called Lock “a unique and brilliant comic voice”.
He tweeted: “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”.
Countdown’s Dictionary Corner star Susie Dent, who also appears on the post-watershed 8 Out Of 10 Cats version, described Lock as an “exceptional man”.
She tweeted: “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.”
David Baddiel called Lock “one of the funniest men I ever knew”, while Jon Richardson, who appeared on panel shows alongside Lock, said comedy had “lost one of the very best”.
He added: “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.”
Comedian Bill Bailey also tweeted about the “heartbreaking” news.
He 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.”
Eddie Izzard mourned the loss of Lock by saying: “So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed.”
Comedian Simon Evans called the news “utterly, utterly horrific”.
Scottish stand-up comedian Janey Godley said that being treated to Lock’s humour offstage was “the best experience anyone can have”.
QI panellist 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.”