Tribute double bill: Sean Lock and Austin Mitchell

This week, comedian Sean Lock, most notable for his appearances on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (the popular Countdown counterpart hosted by Jimmy Carr), and also former Labour MP Austin Mitchell, both passed away.

Sean was one of the best known stand-up comedians in the modern era of British comedy, and best known for starring in 8 Out Of 10 Cats and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown until his death. He also hosted panel show Argumental for a year, although that did not prove to be as successful as its more erudite counterpart QI or its long-running political equivalent Have I Got News For You, and was frequently a guest star in BBC sitcoms. His comedy was known for its wit and deadpan delivery.

Austin, meanwhile, served as Labour MP for Great Grimsby from 1977 to 2015, managing to hold it by 520 votes in a critical by-election caused by the death of former Education Secretary Anthony Crosland. His no-nonsense approach and rapport with the fishing industry, such that he briefly changed his name to Austin Haddock, helped him win that seat and hold it for 38 years, although he had some close calls in 1983 and 2010 (margins: 731 and 714 votes respectively). He will be remembered for supporting the British fishing industry at a time when the Common Fisheries Policy was ruining it and threatening fish stocks in general, and for his quips about British politics, a notable quote being, "The constitution is whatever the government of the day can get away with." as well as his independent style, something that is lacking in so many current British MPs.

Farewell, Sean and Austin. Within your causes you truly livened up British life in your own way, and were unpretentious and to the point in doing so.

Sean Lock, born 22 April 1963, departed this life on 16 August 2021, aged 58 years.

Austin Mitchell, born 19 September 1934, departed this life on 18 August 2021, aged 86 years.



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