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SYD Little says he is being comforted through his grief for Eddie Large by talking to his comedy partner’s ghost.

The star, 77, communicates with Eddie – his telly sidekick and best friend of 60 years – most days after he died of coronavirus three months ago.

He even sees Eddie’s “whole face light up” when they reminisce about the past.

Syd said: “I can’t get him out of my head and I’ve told him I know he’s looking down on me to make sure I’m still OK.

“I’ll talk to him about showbiz and the great old times we had, as well as Manchester City and how well they’re doing.

“He’s definitely up there listening, and I can hear his questions and his answers back to me as plain as ever.

“If City have had a good result I’ll say to him, ‘Oh, Ed, you’ve done it again,’ and I can almost hear his laugh. He’ll be asking who we’ve got next.

“Sometimes a thought or memory runs through my head and I’ll have a smile and say out loud, ‘Do you remember when that happened, Ed?”, and I can see his whole face light up.

“He will never leave me. I miss him so much yet I just know he’s still there for me, as always.”

Blackpool-born

Syd spoke exclusively to the Daily Star Sunday over the loss of Eddie, who died aged 78 on April 2.

Eddie’s family say he caught coronavirus while being treated for heart failure at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.

Syd spoke to Eddie the day before he succumbed to the virus.

The grieving star said: “It was so sad. There was nothing I or anyone could do.

“The day before he passed away you could tell there wasn’t long left. He just said he hurt all over, and was really feeling the pain.

“But he was a fighter, and I always knew that. And he fought all the way through to the very end. I miss him so much.”

Social distancing restrictions meant Syd was one of only a handful of mourners able to attend the funeral at South Bristol Crematorium, where he gave the eulogy.

Eddie’s widow, Patsy, is hoping that a full memorial tribute to her husband of

37 years will take place at a future date. After forming as a comedy duo in

1963 and winning Opportunity Knocks eight years later, the double act enjoyed a 13-year BBC run with the Little And

Large Show until 1991. And despite rumours of a fall-out, Syd – now retired and living with Sheree, his wife of 45 years, in Fleetwood, Lancs – insists they remained friends.

He has spoken in the past of his affection for Eddie, whom he said was always patient with him when he made gaffes during filming. He said: “Looking back, I wish I could have been a better performer for Eddie to work with.

“It was always me who had trouble with the scripts and used to screw up on set. But Eddie was so tolerant with me – he wouldn’t say a word.”

Eddie had a heart transplant in 2003 but before that had to tell Syd that he was unable to work after doctors warned the rigours of touring could kill him. Eddie later described it as “the most painful phone call I have ever had to make”.

He added: “I was crying me eyes out because I knew I was putting him out of work. He had bills to pay”.