Dirty Sanchez star Pancho opened up about real person behind TV persona before death aged 47
Despite his on-screen antics, Dirty Sanchez star Pancho had previously opened up about being a quiet person in his personal life.
The MTV icon, who was best known for his role in the reality stunt and prank series, has sadly passed away at the age of 47, with tributes continuing to flock in for the Welshman.
Although he had plenty of memorable moments in the four seasons of Dirty Sanchez, away from the screen Pancho, whose real name was Michael Locke, was a far more laidback character.
Back in 2021, Pancho was invited on to a YouTube podcast where he revealed more about what his life had been like since the show concluded in 2007, as well as if he was truly like his on-screen persona.
Advert
He said: "I've had professional football players come up to me with 50 sambucas, saying 'down them all, we'll give you £5,000.' I'm an actual human being. Don't get me wrong, I used to like to get very inebriated. But that's not the real me.
"The real me is a mellow character. I'm a very passive person."
Following the conclusion of the show, which did boast over 60 million viewers but never quite reached the fame of the American version Jackass, Pancho would go to become the co-owner of streetwear brand San Portablo, which was set up in Port Talbot in 2016 by former Tata steelworker Nigel Hunt.
Later in the podcast, Pancho said: "I'm not a fighter by any means. I'm not a tough man. I'm a mellow person. But there's some pain which is quite nice."
Of course, the stunts which we saw on screen didn't reflect that too much, with Pancho at the heart of one of the most repulsive moments in the show when he fermented another person's fat before asking 'Joycey' to drink it.
Tributes have been flying in for the Welshman since his death was confirmed this morning via his clothing brand San Portablo on Instagram.
A statement shared by his friends and family on the social media site said: “It is with profound sadness that San Portablo and the Locke family write of the passing of the father, son, brother, uncle, friend, skater, stuntman and all-round goodfella Michael Richard Locke.
“Affectionately known as Pancho to the world, an absolute Welsh Treasure and San Portablo King. His brilliance we are sure will still shine through far wide high low and across the seven seas. He lived an incredible life and lit up the world with his charm.
“Rest In Peace brother, your legend will never cease, it will only gain momentum.”
Meanwhile, one of Pancho's closest friends and co-stars Matthew Pritchard has also shared his reaction to the tragic news.
"I'm still a little bit in shock," he said.
"My little friend of more than 35 years has left the building.
"We've had some amazing laughs together over the years. I've known him since he was about 14 years old.
"Of course the Sanchez years, travelled all over the world with him, been in some classic messes with him in the past partying. Now he's gone but I'll never forget him."
Topics: Celebrity News, Entertainment
James Moorhouse
