Channel 4 tribute to Sean Lock: how is TV network honouring 8 Out of 10 Cats comedian tonight?

Comedian Sean Lock, who was known for his appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and its spinoff show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and sitcom 15 Storeys High, has passed away from cancer at age 58, it was revealed yesterday (Wednesday 18 August).

He died from cancer in his home on 18 August 2021, having been diagnosed with the illness a few years previously. Lock is survived by his wife Anoushka Nara Giltsoff and their three children.

After the news of his death, Channel 4 announced that it would be airing special programming in tribute to Lock.

When is Channel 4’s tribute to Sean Lock?

Following the news of comedian Sean Lock’s death, Channel 4 has announced that it will be paying tribute to “some of the most loved comedy appearances by the uniquely talented comedy performer”.

Tonight, (Thursday 19th August), Channel 4 will be airing the stand-up special Sean Lock: Keep it Light at 10pm.

The stand up special is described as “a blend of finely tuned hyperactive imagination, surreal imagery and insightful observations on the human condition”.

Afterwards, at 11pm, the channel will air a classic episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

All 4 will also be highlighting a collection of Lock’s much-loved TV appearances including 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

In a written statement following the news, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer Ian Katz described Sean Lock as “One of the most original voices in comedy and one of the loveliest people too” adding “Sean’s bone dry wit helped make 8 Out of 10 Cats one of Channel 4’s best loved shows and we owe him a huge debt of thanks for all the years of laughter and fun”.

A statement from Channel 4 said: “Sean Lock is a much-loved part of the Channel 4 family and has played a pivotal role on the channel for over two decades. He has brought so much laughter and joy both on and off screen.

“We will miss him hugely. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Who else has paid tribute to the comic?

Many from the world of comedy paid tribute to Lock after the news of his death was announced.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Eddie Izzard said: “I think Sean Lock started in comedy at almost exactly the same time as me, so we were contemporaries.

“I do this weird, surreal stuff, but his stuff was beautifully surreal and I was kind of jealous of what Sean could do, because his mind jumped around.

“I don’t know if he wrote but he must have sat down and written some stuff, but it would flash across and come up with such crazy imagery.

“He does beautiful, surreal imagery, but he also goes to a dark or impish place, which you wouldn’t expect or most audiences are not expecting, and I encourage people to go online – ‘Sean Lock’, put that into Google and look up his best bits on YouTube and you will see his work and especially on the panel games, you can see that he’s just riffing.

“He’s riffing, and he’s going to this place and people are just falling out and other comedians are falling about. That is the thing. you’re trying to get other comedians laughing and that’s what he could do. He could go to places we weren’t expecting anyone to go to.”

Lock’s good friend Lee Mack also paid tribute to him, saying in a statement: “I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heart-breaking.

“A true original both in comedy and life.

“I will miss him so much”.

The likes of Jason Manford, John Richardson, Aisling Bea, David Mitchell, Bill Bailey, Susie Dent, Shappi Khorsandi, Ricky Gervais, Richard Osman, Jimmy Carr and more all shared their condolences as well.

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