Sean Lock
Who Sean Lock is
Sean Lock was an English stand-up comedian, writer and actor, born in Chertsey, Surrey, and raised in Woking, known for his deadpan observational comedy. After working on building sites he started out doing open spots in London pubs, and his big break came with a regular spot on Newman and Baddiel in Pieces in 1993 and the tour supporting them that ended at Wembley Arena. He won the British Comedy Award for best live stand-up in 2000, the year his Edinburgh show No Flatley, I Am the Lord of the Dance was nominated for the Perrier Award, and toured Sean Lock Live (2008), Lockipedia (2010), Purple Van Man (2013) and Keeping It Light (2017).
He wrote and starred in BBC Radio 4's Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery, which became the sitcom 15 Storeys High, was a team captain for the first 18 series of Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats (2005 to 2015) and carried on in 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. He died on 16 August 2021, aged 58, and in 2023 Channel 4 launched the Sean Lock Comedy Award for new comedy talent in his name.
At a glance
- Born
- 1963
- Died
- 2021
- On screen
- Newman and Baddiel in Pieces, Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery, 15 Storeys High and 3 more
Specials, shows and podcasts
On screen
- Newman and Baddiel in Pieces 1993
- Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery BBC Radio 4, 1998–1999
- 15 Storeys High 2002–2004
- 8 Out of 10 Cats team captain, 2005–2015
- 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
- TV Heaven, Telly Hell 2006–2007
Comedians like Sean Lock
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Harriet Kemsley also in 8 Out of 10 Cats
- Jimmy Carr also in 8 Out of 10 Cats
- Paul Foot also in 8 Out of 10 Cats
- Aisling Bea also in 8 Out of 10 Cats
- Alasdair Beckett-King also in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
- Amy Gledhill also in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
- Dan Tiernan also in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
- David Baddiel also in Newman and Baddiel in Pieces
Career timeline
- 1963Born
- 1993Newman and Baddiel in Pieces (1993) On screen
- 1998Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery (BBC Radio 4, 1998–1999) On screen
- 200215 Storeys High (2002–2004) On screen
- 20058 Out of 10 Cats (team captain, 2005–2015) On screen
- 2006TV Heaven, Telly Hell (2006–2007) On screen
- 2021Died
Questions and answers
What TV shows and films is Sean Lock in?
Newman and Baddiel in Pieces, Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery, 15 Storeys High, 8 Out of 10 Cats, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and TV Heaven, Telly Hell.
Who are some comedians like them?
Harriet Kemsley (also in 8 Out of 10 Cats), Jimmy Carr (also in 8 Out of 10 Cats), Paul Foot (also in 8 Out of 10 Cats), Aisling Bea (also in 8 Out of 10 Cats) and Alasdair Beckett-King (also in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- The Guardian — Sean Lock obituary ↗ 18 August 2021: standup comedian with deadpan observational humour; born in Chertsey, Surrey, brought up in Woking; builder's labourer among other jobs; open…
- Channel 4 — Channel 4 announces the Sean Lock Comedy Award ↗ 17 July 2023: The Sean Lock Comedy Award, showcasing talented new writers and performers who embody the alternative comedic spirit of Sean and Channel 4;…
Updated 9 October 2026 · the record checked 8 October 2026