TRAGIC comic Sean Lock died after a secret battle with lung cancer lasting a “few years”, close pal Bill Bailey revealed.
The 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown star passed away this week aged 58 surrounded by his family.
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Fellow comedian Bailey has now told how Lock was given the devastating lung cancer diagnosis a few years ago.
He told ITV: “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.
“He’s 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 also paid tribute to Lock’s “strength”.
He said: “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.”
Lock’s agent confirmed on Wednesday that the comedian had passed away from cancer.
🔵 Read our Sean Lock blog for the latest tributes
The star was previously diagnosed with skin cancer in 1990 while he worked as a labourer on a building site but it is not clear if the disease returned.
He went on to make a full recovery and has since worked with others to help raise awareness of the disease.
Tributes from the comedy world immediately flooded in for Lock as the heartbreaking news spread.
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His friend and fellow comedian Harry Hill also revealed the comic spent his final months in a hospice before dying at home.
Hill – a former doctor – said: “He struggled with [the illness] – he went through all the same emotions anyone in that position would experience. But he was stoical about it.
“Because he was so bright, he read up on all the latest treatments. He knew much more about that side of medicine than I ever did.”
Lock’s final public appearance was in December when he appeared in a video for charity Edible London.
It has now emerged Lock has left his family a fortune of around £3million.
Annual accounts for his Sean Lock Ltd company had cash reserves of just over £1million.
Documents posted on Companies House last month also show he had total assets – including property worth £350,000 – of £2.8million.
The dad-of-three is also said to have earned more than £1million in 2019.
The star was married to Anoushka Nara Giltsoff and the pair had two daughters born in 2004 and 2006 and a son born in 2009 together.
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