Tributes are flowing for comedian Sean Lock after the 8 out 10 Cats panellist died from cancer at the age of 58.
A statement from the father-of-three's agent confirmed the news, dubbing him one of Britain's "finest comedians" and remembering his "boundless creativity, lightning wit and the absurdist brilliance of his work".
Lock was surrounded by his family, including his wife Anoushka Nara Giltsoff, when he died at home.
The television personality's death prompted a flood of tributes from fellow comedians and friends like Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey, Stephen Fry and Ricky Gervais.
8 out of 10 Cats host Carr called the news "brutal".
"I loved him. I'm watching clips of him right now - laughing and crying. I'll miss him so much," he tweeted.
Jon Richardson, another 8 out of 10 Cats regular, remembered a decade working alongside Lock, who he "idolised" as a comic long before his own comedy career began.
"An incredible comic brain and a truly unique voice," he tweeted.
"I'm devastated for his family today and sad for comedy that we have lost one of the very best. Undisputed, undefeated, carrot in a box champion. I will miss him."
QI panellist Alan Davies met Lock in 1998, when both comedians were just beginning their stand-up careers. Lock went on to appear on QI regularly alongside Davies and Stephen Fry.
"Sad news about Sean Lock. Funny on stage, hilarious off," Davies wrote.
"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."
Meanwhile, Fry hailed Lock as "completely brilliant", insisting the best episodes of QI featured him.
"Oh no, what horrible news… I think it safe to say that the best episodes of QI that I was involved with were always the ones where Sean Lock was a guest. Such complete brilliance in every comic direction. What a loss. My heart goes out to his family."
Black Books star Bill Bailey called the news "heart-breaking", describing Lock as a "dearest friend".
"He was a true original, a wonderful comic. All my thoughts are with his family."
Ricky Gervais tweeted: "Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man."
The statement from Lock's agent said he would be "sorely missed by all that knew him".
