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MTV Dirty Sanchez star Michael 'Pancho' Locke dies aged 47

Leigh BoobyerBBC Wales
Getty Images Photograph of Dirty Sanchez stars. Mathew Pritchard (right) stands holding a cigarette in his left hand, and poses with rock fingers in his right hand. He has blonde big hair and looks dazed at the camera. He wears a denim vest and a black top with a silver chain. Lee Dainton ( left) holds two rock fingers using his hands and poses with his mouth stretched wide open. He wears a silver chain and a black short sleeve t-shirt and has blue eyes. Dan Joyce stands behind the group. He has brown long hair cut into a mullet and brown eyes. He has one arm in the arm and own arm around Pritchard. Mike "Pancho" Locke pops his head in the centre of the group and poses with a peace sign. Getty Images
Dirty Sanchez ran for four series on MTV between 2003 and 2007

Tributes have been paid to Michael Locke, star of MTV stunt and prank series Dirty Sanchez, who has died aged 47.

Locke, from Port Talbot, known as 'Pancho', starred in the show, and later went on to launch the Welsh clothing brand San Portablo.

His Dirty Sanchez co-star Mathew Pritchard posted a tribute on social media, saying he "was the best" and he would "never forget him".

San Portablo, co-owned by Locke, said the TV star was an "absolute Welsh treasure" who "lived an incredible life".

Michael is wearing a black jacket and a black cap, and is standing inside a retail shop.
Michael Locke was better known as stuntman and skateboarder Pancho from MTV show Dirty Sanchez

Its post read: "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."

PA Media Dainton, Pancho and Pritchard from Dirty SanchezPA Media
Lee Dainton, Pancho and Matthew Pritchard from Dirty Sanchez

In a video Pritchard, from Cardiff, said he was currently climbing Mount Everest in the Himalayas and would dedicate his journey to its base camp to Locke.

"I'm still a little bit in shock," he said.

"My little friend of more than 35 years has left the building.

"We've had some amazing laughs together over the years. I've known him since he was about 14 years old.

"Of course the Sanchez years, travelled all over the world with him, been in some classic messes with him in the past partying. Now he's gone but I'll never forget him."

Michael (left) and Nigel (right)
Locke and Nigel Hunt (right) owned San Portablo together in Port Talbot

Locke, Pritchard, Lee Dainton and Dan Joyce starred in the cult classic show which ran from 2003 to 2007 on MTV, airing in 64 countries with more than 400 million viewers.

The UK's equivalent to American stunt film series Jackass, Dirty Sanchez started out in Newport and saw the group travel all over the world performing unhinged stunts.

Locke later became co-owner of streetwear brand San Portablo, set up in Port Talbot in 2016 by former Tata steelworker Nigel Hunt.

Locke moved back to Port Talbot in 2018 and was involved in running the brand and its shop in the town.

Hunt described Locke as "a tonic" and "a good man".

"He had an incredible life, his presence was immense. He lit up rooms for 47 years and he will be really missed," he said.

"He was just himself, humble to the end, loved his family."

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