Mike Locke, the Welsh stunt performer known to millions as Pancho from the MTV series Dirty Sanchez, has died at 47.
Locke’s friends and family announced the death through his clothing brand San Portablo on Instagram. The post identified him by his full name, Michael Richard Locke, and listed the roles he filled in life: “father, son, brother, uncle, friend, skater, stuntman and all-round goodfella.”
The statement continued: “Affectionately known as Pancho to the world, an absolute Welsh Treasure and San Portablo King. His brilliance we are sure will still shine through far wide high low and across the seven seas. He lived an incredible life and lit up the world with his charm.”
“Rest In Peace brother, your legend will never cease, it will only gain momentum,” the Instagram post concluded.
Matthew Pritchard, Locke’s co-star and friend of 35 years, confirmed the news in an Instagram video from Nepal, where he was traveling toward Everest Base Camp. Pritchard said he had woken that morning to what he called “the awful news.”
“I don’t know how to say this, if I’m honest. I’m still a little bit in shock,” Pritchard said in the video. “I woke up this morning to the awful news that Pancho has unfortunately passed away.”
Pritchard explained how he learned of the death: “My little friend of over 35 years has left the building. And it’s… It was quite shocking, if I’m honest, waking up to it this morning. I had a text off Nige saying ‘give me a ring’. It was urgent, I thought it was a bit weird that it was urgent. Weirdly, I sort of knew what he was going to tell me. I just had that feeling, and it was. I’m going to miss him.”
He added that he would dedicate his Base Camp expedition to Locke’s memory. “As you all know, I’m up here on my way to Everest Base Camp, so as of now I will dedicate this Base Camp trip to the memory of Panch,” Pritchard said. “We had some amazing laughs together over the years. I’ve known him since he was about 14 years old.”
Pritchard continued: “Been in some classic messes with him in the past, partying. Now he’s gone. I’ll Never forget him, Panch was the best.”
“Love you Panch… Rest in peace,” he finished.
Dirty Sanchez debuted on MTV in 2003 and ran for four years, building a global following with stunts that frequently exceeded the intensity of its American counterpart Jackass. The four-man Welsh crew — Locke, Pritchard, Lee Dainton, and Dan Joyce — subjected themselves to elaborate, often dangerous pranks that cemented their reputation among extreme stunt enthusiasts.
The group starred in a 2006 spin-off film, and earlier this year Dainton had confirmed in a podcast interview that a sequel was in development for 2027 with all four original members set to return. Dainton noted at the time that the project would likely be “more wholesome” given that the cast was now sober.
Fans have left tributes on Locke’s Instagram account, with one widely seen comment reading: “RIP legend…. Thank you for all the great laughs and memories.”