Bill Bailey has praised the 'courageous' Sean Lock for how he dealt with his cancer diagnosis over the past 'few years'.
It was announced this week that the comedian and much-loved team captain of 8 Out of 10 Cats had sadly died from cancer at the age of 58.
And in an interview with ITV News, Bailey revealed that Lock had been dealing with lung cancer for some time, but had continued to work.
Advert
Speaking to the news outlet, the 56-year-old said he was incredibly proud of how 'tough' Lock was during this time and how the pair tried to spend a lot of time together.
He said: "He had been diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago and it was at the time quite a blow, particularly when it was quite advanced.
"We've tried to make the most of the last few years. We spent a lot of time together and went on trips together. And he's continued to work.
Advert
"He's an amazingly courageous and tough individual who was mentally strong throughout the whole time. I'm just grateful for the time we have had together."
Bailey continued: "A lot of comics are talking about the fact that he inspired them to become comedians. He was the one that gave them the strength and courage to carry on as comedians - it's a tough business.
"'He was fearless and determined and that's what gave them strength."
LADbible has reached out to Sean Lock's representatives for comment.
Advert
In a statement released earlier this week, Lock's agent said he was one of the all-time greats of British comedy.
It 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.
"Sean will be sorely missed by all that knew him."
Advert
Born in Woking, Surrey, Lock left school in the early 1980s and began working on building sites, but developed skin cancer, which he blamed on over-exposure to the sun.
He went on to make a full recovery and focused on a career in comedy.
One of his first professional TV appearances was in 1993, starring alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature TV show Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.
Advert
He script-edited the 1998 BBC Two series Is It Bill Bailey? and had his own show on BBC Radio 4 called 15 Minutes Of Misery, which was later expanded into TV series 15 Storeys High.
In 2005, Lock became a regular team captain on the panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, a role he held for 18 series.
Between 2006 and 2007 he hosted Channel 4 series TV Heaven, Telly Hell, in which he invited celebrities to share their own selection of TV's triumphs and tragedies.
Lock also appeared on panel shows such as Have I Got News for You and QI.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News