Syd had it Large with Ian Krankie

SYD LITTLE says a bit of bonding with old buddies The Krankies, Ian and Janette Tough, made getting through his latest TV outing easier. Comedian Syd, known from his own double act days with Little and Large, is one of the celebrities in The Real Marigold Hotel which has been delighting millions over the past three weeks. This latest run of the hit show that sends a group of well-known oldies to foreign climes to see if it’s the sort of place they’d be happy to see out their days has been looking at India. “Me and The Krankies have known each other for 50 years,” said Syd, 75, ahead of this week’s final instalment. “At night, after the cameras had gone, we used to sit down with a bottle of wine and share it between us. “Ian and I were the designated cooks. We went to some cookery lessons by an Indian lady. She was lovely, it’s in her home, and she taught us how to cook things like chutneys and naan breads. “We had a great time, me and Ian.” One of the interesting facets is always seeing what lessons the celebrities learn along the way and Syd says he did come to at least one conclusion. “I’m going too fast. I’m 75 years of age and I’m still whizzing round like I’m 21. “And everyone keeps saying ‘slow down’ and I think the world’s passing by. “I remember the first time we went on holiday a few years ago and we’d had a very busy two years in showbiz. “We went to a hotel in Barbados and we just finished the series and we zoomed out there, got off the plane and it was like we got off in a different time zone. “It’s the same with India, it just had that feeling that time didn’t matter. That’s what I need to do, slow down and enjoy the moment.” The Real Marigold Hotel, BBC1, Wed, 9pm.