Mike “Pancho” Locke, the Welsh stuntman and skateboarder who became a household name through the cult MTV prank series Dirty Sanchez, has died at the age of 47.
Born in Neath in 1979, Mr Locke was a father of two who had settled in Port Talbot.
He found global fame in the noughties as part of the stunt crew often dubbed the UK’s answer to Jackass.
The show, which ran from 2003 to 2007, featured Mr Locke performing dangerous and outrageous stunts alongside fellow Welshmen Matthew Pritchard and Lee Dainton, as well as Englishman Dan Joyce. It proved so popular that it spawned a feature film in 2006.
Mr Locke and Mr Pritchard also appeared together as the Pain Men on Channel 4’s Balls of Steel.
His death was confirmed on Friday morning through a statement posted on San Portablo’s social media channels by the brand and the Locke family.
The tribute described him as a “father, son, brother, uncle, friend, skater, stuntman and all round goodfella,” calling him “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,” the statement continued. “He lived an incredible life and lit up the world with his charm.”
The message concluded: “Rest in peace brother, your legend will never cease. It will only gain momentum.”
San Portablo’s Port Talbot shop was closed for the day following the announcement.
His Dirty Sanchez co-star Matthew Pritchard took to social media to pay his respects, writing that Mr Locke “was the best” and vowing he would “never forget him.”
Stand-up comedian Sando Ford also shared a heartfelt remembrance on Instagram, emphasising that Mr Locke’s impact extended far beyond his television career. “He was a clever, hilarious, and loyal person,” Mr Ford wrote.
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Mr Ford recalled how Mr Locke and his San Portablo business partner Nigel Hunt championed his fledgling comedy career, encouraging audiences to attend his early gigs at venues including the Surge, the Red Lion, and Afan Ales.
“They didn’t expect anything in return, just doing it because they wanted to and believed in me,” he said.
Mr Locke would even accompany Mr Ford to open mic nights simply to watch and share a laugh on the journey home.
In the years following his television career, Mr Locke became a driving force behind San Portablo, the streetwear brand he co-launched with friend and founder Nigel Hunt, who had started the venture after being made redundant from the local steelworks.
What began as a modest stall in Aberavon Shopping Centre grew into a permanent retail presence there and at Cardiff Airport, with the brand celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026. Fans of the label include Fontaines DC and Michael Sheen.
Speaking to WalesOnline earlier this year, Mr Locke expressed deep pride in what the brand represented.
“It’s the key to celebrating us, and the town and not being seen as this pass-through town that’s hiding in the shadow of the steelworks,” he said, describing Port Talbot’s transformation as a “cultural phenomenon.”
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