Sean Lock fans left heartbroken by tribute to the late comedian as one of his last episodes airs

Sean Lock fans were left heartbroken on Friday night as 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown paid tribute to the late comedian at the end of the episode.

The comedian, known for his surreal content and deadpan style, teamed up with guest Harry Hill against Jon Richardson and Rosie Jones. 

It will be one of his last appearances on the show after the much-loved star died of cancer aged 58 surrounded by his family at home in August 2021.

Emotional: Sean Lock fans were left heartbroken on Friday night as 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown paid tribute to the late comedian at the end of the episode

Team captain Jimmy Carr hosted with Rachel Riley and Susie Dent taking up their usual duties. 

Before the episode aired, Channel 4 announced in a Twitter post that it would be ‘one of his last appearances on the show’. 

A tribute to Sean appeared at the end of the episode with a picture of him and the words: ‘In loving memory of comedy legend Sean Lock, 1963 – 2021’.

Tribute: A tribute to Sean appeared at the end of the episode with a picture of him and the words: 'In loving memory of comedy legend Sean Lock, 1963 – 2021’

Tribute: A tribute to Sean appeared at the end of the episode with a picture of him and the words: ‘In loving memory of comedy legend Sean Lock, 1963 – 2021’

Last show: Before the episode aired, Channel 4 announced in a Twitter post that it would be 'one of his last appearances on the show'

Last show: Before the episode aired, Channel 4 announced in a Twitter post that it would be ‘one of his last appearances on the show’

In an emotional tribute, co-star Jon Richardson took to Twitter to write: ‘Watching Sean’s last ep of Countdown I can see how upset I was knowing he was ill and how much that affected my performance, while Sean himself continued to be effortlessly hilarious. 

‘A true comic to the end. That’s why he’s trending on twitter and why he’s so missed.’ 

And viewers were quick to comment on the heartbreaking tribute with one saying they had ‘never been more emotional while watching a funny panel show’. 

Another fan said: ‘Finally caught up with last nights #CatsCountdown and it’s so emotional knowing it’s #SeanLock last episode!! Such a funny man!!’

Final act: It will be one of his last appearances on the show after the much-loved star died of cancer aged 58 surrounded by his family at home

Final act: It will be one of his last appearances on the show after the much-loved star died of cancer aged 58 surrounded by his family at home

Co-star: In an emotional tribute, co-star Jon Richardson took to Twitter to write: 'Watching Sean's last ep of Countdown I can see how upset I was knowing he was ill

Co-star: In an emotional tribute, co-star Jon Richardson took to Twitter to write: ‘Watching Sean’s last ep of Countdown I can see how upset I was knowing he was ill

Thanks for the laughs: And viewers were quick to comment on the heartbreaking tribute with one saying they had 'never been more emotional while watching a funny panel show'

Thanks for the laughs: And viewers were quick to comment on the heartbreaking tribute with one saying they had ‘never been more emotional while watching a funny panel show’

The much-loved 8 Out Of 10 Cats star died of cancer aged 58 surrounded by his family at home. 

Carr led the tributes, saying it was ‘brutal news’ and that he was ‘laughing and crying’ while watching clips of Lock – while his friend Lee Mack, who called him a ‘true original both in comedy and life’. 

Father-of-three Lock, who had two daughters and one son with his wife Anoushka, appeared on Have I Got News for You, QI, and They Think It’s All Over – and also wrote and starred in the popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High. 

Sean Lock performs a stand-up routine for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2006

Sean Lock performs a stand-up routine for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2006

Jon Richardson, Lock’s fellow captain on 8 Out Of Ten Cats, praised his ‘incredible comic brain’; Susie Dent from the Countdown version described him as an ‘exceptional man’; Ricky Gervais said he was ‘one of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation’; and Alan Davies said Lock was ‘funny on stage, hilarious off’.

Lock’s agent labelled the Woking-born star as ‘one of Britain’s finest comedians’, saying his ‘boundless creativity, lightning wit and the absurdist brilliance of his work, marked him out as a unique voice in British comedy’. 

It is not known what form of a cancer Lock had battled, but he previously made a full recovery from skin cancer which he blamed on over-exposure to the sun while working on building sites before he became a comedian.

Sad news: Sean appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown with Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson, Rachel Riley and Susie Dent

Sad news: Sean appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown with Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson, Rachel Riley and Susie Dent

He previously credited a one-night stand in the 1990s with saving his life, after the woman he was with spotted a black and misshapen patch of skin on his back, which he had removed in hospital and it was diagnosed as cancer. 

Fellow comedian Harry Hill revealed Lock had spent time in a hospice, telling the Guardian: ‘At his best, Sean reminded us all what we loved about a great gag and why we got into comedy in the first place. 

‘That’s why he was so often called ‘the comedian’s comedian’. He took his illness in typically dry style. I heard he was in a hospice for a bit of a rest. I called him up. ‘Wow!’ I said. ‘A hospice, what’s that like?’ ‘It’s OK,’ he said ‘… and the sex is amazing’.’

Tragic: Lock is pictured showing his support to a crowdfunder by anti-food poverty organisation Edible London in December 2020

Tragic: Lock is pictured showing his support to a crowdfunder by anti-food poverty organisation Edible London in December 2020

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