Sean Lock's poignant gift for family after death as stars pays tribute

16 August 2023 , 11:53

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Sean Lock was just 58-years-old when he died after a secret battle with lung cancer. Tragic news broke of his passing on August 16, 2021 and two years on, his absence in comedy is still felt across the nation.

The much-loved comedian stellar career as one of the UK's top comics, starring in shows including QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats. Sean He was first diagnosed with cancer years before it became public, with the funnyman continuing to work as he quietly fought his cancer behind-the-scenes.

In August 2021, Off The Kerb Productions confirmed the news of Sean's death saying at the time that he was surrounded by his family and loved-ones when he died. “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," the statement read.

“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. He 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.”

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Sean sadly died at the age of 58 in August 2021 (Getty Images)

Sean Lock's poignant gift for family after death as stars pays tribute

Sean was battling cancer in secret before his death was revealed two years ago

The comedian had battle skin cancer previously in his life when, back in 1990, he was diagnosed with skin cancer. Sean believed it had been caused by his time as a builder in the 1980s, when he worked long hours in the sun.

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In 2010, he looked back on his skin cancer battle, admitting that he only realised something was wrong when he spent the night with a woman named Tina. “She said there was something weird on my back. I asked her what it looked like, and she said it was a patch of skin which was black, misshapen, with a crusty texture and about the size of a 10p piece. I had no idea how long it had been there. It didn’t hurt or itch, so there was nothing that would have drawn my attention to it."

Thankfully, Sean made a full recovery after the patch of skin was removed, but years later, he was sadly diagnosed with another form of cancer, which ultimately took his life. After his death, it was revealed that Sean had left his wife and three children £4million after his incredibly successful career as a comedian and TV star.

Sean Lock was known for his deadpan observational humour (Rex)

Last year, probate records revealed the value of Sean's estate, which will go to his family. According to the reports, Sean said his wife Anoushka and the couple's two daughters and son should inherit the estate, which was to be held in a trust. The assets are said to have a net value of £4,084,911, which were to be handed to his family.

After his death, Sean's final video appearance raised awareness of a charity setting out to end food poverty in London by raising funds to create one million free meals. The late comedian offered his voice and presence to Edible London which offered a million free meals to those in need.

Two years on from the news of his sad passing, friends and fans of Sean have taken to social media today to mark his second anniversary, as several have insisted that there has been an 'empty hole' in the comedy world since his death.

Sean's good friend and fellow comedian Bill Bailey took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to the late star. Alongside a sweet photo of the two comedic genius' beaming for the camera, grieving Bill penned: "Today it’s two years since we lost Sean. It’s hard to believe sometimes that he’s not here. Miss you old friend."

Sean's good friend and fellow comedian Bill Bailey has paid tribute to the late comedian (Twitter)

"Remembering Sean today and thinking of his family on the second anniversary of his death. There has been an empty hole in comedy since his death, and nobody else will ever come to close to just how special he was," one gushed.

"He was one in a million. Such a truly genuine and gracious man," someone else voice, while another fan of the late comedian echoed: "Such a loss to not only comedy and his friends but the millions of people whose lives he changed with his good heart and warm energy. RIP Sean."

Sean shot to fame on the comedy circuit after initially working on building sites in the 80s. Early in his TV career, the comic appeared on the 1993 series Newman and Baddiel in Pieces, alongside fellow comedians Rob Newman and David Baddiel. Sean joined Channel 4's 8 Out Of 10 Cats in 2005. He then starred in the Countdown spin off of the show from 2012 until his death in 2021.

For more information or support about lung cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support or you can call 020 7940 1760 for advice.