BILL Bailey has paid tribute to fellow comedian Sean Lock.

Sean, who previously resided in Lewes, died of cancer earlier this year at the age of 58.

The TV star was known for his role as team captain on Channel 4 comedy show 8 Out Of 10 Cats and spin-off 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

He also wrote and starred in the popular BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High.

Bill Bailey took to social media on Christmas day in remembrance of his close friend and colleague.

“Hello everyone hope you’re having a good day. Today I’m thinking about my old pal Sean Lock, and his family,” he said.

“And I’m sending out good thoughts to all those of you who are missing someone today.”

Sean’s death was announced by his agent Off The Kerb Productions.

“He died at home from cancer, surrounded by his family,” they said in a statement.

“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.

“Sean was also a cherished husband and father to three children. Sean will be sorely missed by all that knew him.”

Born in Woking, the comedy star left school in the early 1980s and began working on building sites but developed skin cancer, which he blamed on over-exposure to the sun.

He made a full recovery and focused on a career in comedy.

One of his first professional TV appearances was in 1993, starring alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature TV show Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.

He script-edited the 1998 BBC Two series, Is It Bill Bailey? and had his own show on BBC Radio 4 called 15 Minutes Of Misery, which was later expanded into TV series 15 Storeys High.

Comedian Lee Mack, who was a close friend, also paid tribute following Sean’s death, saying: “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.”

A mural was also painted in Elder Place, Brighton, in his memory.