 |
| Eddie Large (left), with his comedy partner Syd Little, were household names in the UK in their heydey |
The family of Eddie Large have spoken of their sadness at not being able to visit the comedy giant in the days before his death after he contracted coronavirus in hospital.
The Little And Large star, whose partnership with Syd Little was watched by millions in the duoโs heyday, died aged 78 after being infected what his family described as โthis horrible diseaseโ while being treated for heart failure.
Comedy stars Sir Lenny Henry, Paul Chuckle, Ant and Dec and Matt Lucas were among the first to pay tribute.
His son Ryan McGinnis posted on Facebook: โIt is with great sadness that mum and I need to announce that my dadโฆ passed away in the early hours of this morning.
โHe has been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, whilst in hospital, contracted coronavirus, which his heart was sadly not strong enough to fight.
โDad 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.
โWe will miss him terribly and we are so proud of everything he has achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them every week.โ
His agent Peter Mansfield told the PA news agency: โHis family were very sad not to be able to be in the same room as him, touching him, in the last week because of coronavirus.
โThey were only able to speak on the phone, which was obviously very sad for them.
โBut they wanted to say thank-you to the NHS which was fantastic throughout.โ
Speaking about the life-saving heart transplant and treatment the comedian underwent many years ago, Mr Mansfield said: โThe family wanted to say how grateful they are for the extra 17 years that they have had with Eddie. And a huge thank-you to the donor and the donorโs family.โ
Large, who was born in Glasgow but grew up in Manchester, formed his double act with Little in 1963.
The pair went on to win Opportunity Knocks and appeared regularly on TV for the next 20 years.
Their prime-time BBC One series The Little And Large Show attracted audiences of almost 15 million before it was axed in 1991.
In 2010, Large, who was famous for interrupting his co-star, revealed he had not spoken to Little for some time.
โI havenโt seen Syd for years. He lives up near Blackpool and I live near Bristol, so I havenโt spoken to him for a long time,โ he told TV Times.
Ant and Dec were among a host of stars paying tribute to Large on Twitter, writing: โSo sad to hear about the passing of Eddie Large.
โWe had the pleasure of working with him and Syd a few years ago. He just loved making people laugh. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.โ
Chuckle wrote: โRIP the very talented Eddie Large. Such a funny and lovely man. Love goes out to his family at this time.โ
Jason Manford tweeted: โSuch a gentle, funny man. RIP Eddie.โ
Matt Lucas wrote: โEddie Large (along with his supersonic friend Syd) was really lovely and kind and encouraging to me when I was a nipper on Shooting Stars. So sad to hear of his passing.โ
Sir Lenny recalled โmidnight matinee Great Yarmouthโ in 1978.
He added: โThey finished part one. Iโd never heard laughter like it. Rude, raucous and rollicking. Dunno how they did it, but Eddieโs energy and electricity and impressions and props and improv were hugely impressive. R.I.P.โ
Press Association
