Comedian Sean Lock, best known for his role on TV game show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, has sadly passed away at the age of 58.
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."
They added, "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. We kindly request that the privacy of his family and children is respected at this difficult time.
"Sean will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Comedian Lee Mack, a close friend of Sean's, paid tribute, writing, "I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heart-breaking.
"A true original in both comedy and life. I will miss him so much."
Born in Woking, Surrey on 22 April 1963, Sean left school in 1980s and began working on building sites. He developed skin cancer but later made a full recovery and began focusing on a career in comedy.
Sean was best known as a team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, the Channel 4 comedy panel show hosted by Jimmy Carr. He appeared on the first 18 series opposite team captains including Jason Manford and Jon Richardson.
He exited the show in 2015.
Sean also previously presented the Channel 4 series TV Heaven, Telly Hell, which featured celebrity guests like Bill Bailey and David Mitchell discussing their favourite and least favourite TV programmes, and wrote and starred in popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High alongside Benedict Wong.
He was named best live comic at the British Comedy Awards in 2000 and appeared at Channel 4’s Comedy Gala in 2011, after hosting the Big Fat Quiz of the Year with James Corden in 2008.
Our thoughts are with Sean's family at this time.