Comedian Bill Bailey has paid tribute to his late friend Sean Lock on what would have been the comedian's 59th birthday.
Posting on Facebook The Strictly champion wrote: "When I asked a simple question , ‘how are you doing?’ I have been quite overwhelmed by all your replies - I’ve been reading about all your walks with dogs, going to choir practice, eating pizza, having a tooth out, celebrating anniversaries, doing great,just coping, not doing that well, saying goodbye to loved ones, welcoming others into the world, enjoying the sunshine- the warp and weft of life . And one thing comes across , that for all we go through, there’s a resilience , a determination to get on, to endure whatever is thrown at us and make the most of it and it’s a wonderful thing. Today is my old pal Sean Lock’s birthday so I’ll be thinking about him and his family . I’ll be going for a walk to have a chat with him, and I’ll be raising a glass to Sean tonight. I miss him greatly, but I’m grateful for the time I spent with him and for all the many laughs we had. Keep making the most of every day, keep rocking!"
At the time of Lock's death in August 2021 Bailey wrote in the Guardian: "He was as funny off stage as on. I will remember a kind, generous and loyal friend who I loved dearly, and feel a great sadness at his loss. He leaves a wife, Anoushka, and their three children, his sister Kate and his brothers Paul and Pete. And he leaves us all a wonderful comic legacy and – for me and those lucky enough to have known him – some cherished memories and unforgettable nights of laughter.”
Bailey and Lock had been friends for three decades. On Christmas Day 2021 Bailey tweeted: “Today I’m thinking about old pal Sean Lock, and his family. And I’m sending out good thoughts to all those of you who are missing someone today.” And Bailey paid tribute to Sean again earlier this year on Twitter: "Six months since we lost Sean. Miss him every day."
Lock 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 at the time of his death: ""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."
