The death has been announced of comedian Sean Lock.

He was 58 and has died of cancer. He was best known to TV viewers as one of the team captains on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

A statement from his agents Off The Kerb 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. 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."

Lock was a familiar face from 8 Out Of 10 Cats but was also a highly respected touring stand-up comedian and his sitcom 15 Storeys High was a much-loved, much praised cult favourite.

He was voted the 55th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups in 2007 and again in the updated 2010 list as the 19th greatest stand-up comic. 

He was nominated for a Perrier Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000.

Tributes are being paid by fellow comedians and fans.

Lee Mack called him: "a true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much".

Jon Richardson wrote: "I’m devastated for his family today and sad for comedy that we have lost one of the very best. Undisputed, undefeated, carrotinabox champion. I will miss him.

I idolised Sean as a comic long before I became a comedian myself and ten years working alongside him didn’t diminish that in the least. An incredible comic brain and a truly unique voice."

Josh Widdicombe tweeted: "Such awful, sad news about Sean Lock. He was an astonishing comedian who had a way of looking at the world like no one else, you were excited to hear what he had to say every time he opened his mouth. My thoughts are with his family today"

He worked regularly with a number of comedians including his good friend Bill Bailey, tweeted: "It’s heartbreaking to lose my dearest friend Sean Lock , he was a true original, a wonderful comic. All my thoughts are with his family."

Bailey and Lock appeared together in an Edinburgh Fringe show entitled Rock. Richard Herring recalled being in the audience. "I saw Sean Lock & Bill Bailey do Rock at the pleasance in about 94, where I think Stewart Lee and me (and maybe 2 others) were the entire audience. Crazy to think that was possible! One of my favourite Fringe memories. RIP Sean. Like everyone in comedy, I’m gutted by this news."

Lock was the support act to David Baddiel & Rob Newman when they played the UK's first ever arena comedy gig in 1993. David Baddiel tweeted: "Devastated to hear about Sean Lock. He toured with Newman and Baddiel on our last show together. One of the funniest men I ever knew."

Eddie Izzard, who Lock had been influenced by, posted on social media: "So sorry to hear this. Farewell Sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed."

Mark Watson tweeted: "Stunned to hear about Sean Lock. Worked with him without ever getting to know him; witnessed his talent from an intimidated distance. It’s an enormous loss to comedy."

Richard Osman tweeted: "Over 15 years producing '8 Out Of 10 Cats' Sean Lock made me laugh so much and so often. A unique and brilliant comic voice. Love to his family and his many friends #RIPSean."

Angela Barnes tweeted: "Ah man, rest in peace Sean Lock, thanks for the laughs. And 100% fuck cancer"

Jordan Brookes tweeted: "Fucking hell, Sean Lock. One of my absolute favourite stand ups and 15 Storeys High was like an arthouse sitcom that blew my mind, totally distinctive when everything else looked and sounded the same"

Nick Helm added: "Ever since my first 8 Out of 10 Cats a decade ago, Taxi drivers across the land have told me how much they loved him. Everyone did. Whenever I did Countdown I’d sit in dictionary corner & laugh at his jokes & if I made him laugh it didn’t matter about anyone else. RIP Sean Lock."

British comic Jeff Green, who now lives in Australia, wrote: "My old mate Sean Lock has died. We started out together in Comedy in 89 and had so much fun. Sean was a very special bloke on and off stage and I’m heartbroken to have lost such a dear friend.

As a young man Lock had been treated for skin cancer. He had suggested at the time that he got cancer because of working in the sun with his shirt off.

He had been due to play the Cambridge Comedy Festival in July but had to pull out and was replaced by Rob Beckett.

Watch Sean Lock in full flow here in the famous Carrot in a Box moment