Entertainment

Comedian Eddie Large dies aged 78 from coronavirus


Eddie Large has passed away aged 78 (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Little And Large comedian Eddie Large has died aged 78 from coronavirus, his son confirmed today.

The Little and Large comedian, who is best known for his partnership with Syd Little, had been in hospital with heart failure, before contracting the deadly Covid-19 virus.

His son, Ryan McGinnis, posted on Facebook: ‘It is with great sadness that Mum and I need to announce that my dad passed away in the early hours of this morning.

‘He had been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, whilst in hospital, contracted the coronavirus, which his heart was sadly not strong enough to fight.

‘Dad had fought bravely for so long. Due to this horrible disease we had been unable to visit him at the hospital but all of the family and close friends spoke to him every day.

‘We will miss him terribly and we are so proud of everything he achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them each week.’

Eddie and Syd roped in 18 million viewers for Little And Large in its prime (Picture: Keith Waldegrave/ANL/REX)
The pair’s hilarious show ran 11 seasons (Picture: Photonews Scotland/REX)

Along with Syd, Eddie – who was born Edward Hugh McGinnis in Glasgow in 1941 – attracted massive success through the 1970s and 80s after finding fame winning talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971.

As their popularity grew, in 1978 they debuted BBC One’s The Little And Large Show, which meshed stand-up routines with hilarious sketch segments.

The pair had a falling out, but reunited in recent years (Picture: BBC/Remarkable TV/Endemol Shine UK Ltd)

The show, which has been compared to the likes of The Two Ronnies and The Morecambe & Wise Show, was a runaway success and attracted on average 18 million viewers a week.

It ran for 11 series, before concluding in 1991.

As well as Little And Large, the pair helmed ITV series Who Do You Do? doing impressions as they become popular as pantomime stars.

The comedic duo had a highly publicised falling out, however they had reconciled in recent years.

Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan was one of the first stars to pay tribute, as he tweeted: ‘What sad news – he & Syd Little were one of Britain’s most beloved comedy duos. RIP.’

Michael Barrymore, who was Eddie’s support act, also chimed in: ‘Eddie Large. He was such a funny and talented man.

‘I was his support act for many years and he was nothing but kind caring and supportive to the upstart at the bottom of the Bill. Me. My love and condolences to Patsy, Samantha his daughter and Ryan his son. XXX.’

In his later career, Eddie appeared in numerous TV guest acting roles and had penned autobiography Larger Than Life.

In 2003 Large had a heart transplant at the age of 62, having previously been admitted to hospital the year before for kidney problems.

The comedian is survived by his second wife, Patsy, and three children.



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