Tributes paid after death of comedian
Entertainer contracted virus while in hospital following heart failure
ENTERTAINMENT: The family of comedian Eddie Large announced yesterday that he had passed away at the age of 78.
They said he contracted coronavirus while he was already in hospital after suffering heart failure. Tributes from leading figures in the entertainment world were paid to the popular performer.
IN AN era of light entertainment when the double act was king, their comedy pairing still shone through.
Eddie Large and Syd Little became among the most popular performers on the nation’s television screens throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with millions of viewers tuning in to see their light-hearted brand of humour.
But yesterday the family of Large announced that he had passed away at the age of 78.
They said he contracted coronavirus while he was already in hospital after suffering heart failure.
Tributes from leading figures in the entertainment world were paid to the performer, with Sir Lenny Henry, Russ Abbot, Paul Chuckle, Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly and Matt Lucas among the celebrities to express their sympathies.
Little said he was “devastated” by the news, telling BBC Radio Lancashire: “He had been ill for a while but when it happens, it hits you.
“We were together 60 years, It wasn’t like having a partner. We were friends.”
Relatives also spoke of their sadness at not being able to visit the comedy giant in the days before his death after he contracted coronavirus.
The Little And Large star, whose partnership with Little was watched by millions of television viewers in the duo’s heyday, died after being infected what his family described as “this horrible disease” while being treated for heart failure.
In a post on Facebook yesterday, Large’s son, Ryan McGinnis, said: “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 has been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, whilst in hospital, contracted coronavirus, which his heart was sadly not strong enough to fight.
“Dad 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 has achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them every week.”
Large’s agent Peter Mansfield also spoke of the heartache that the family had endured at not being able to have close contact with the comedian during his final days due to highly contagious virus.
He added: “They were only able to speak on the phone, which was obviously very sad for them.
“But they wanted to say thankyou to the NHS which was fantastic throughout.”
Speaking about the life-saving heart transplant and treatment the comedian underwent many years ago, Mr Mansfield said: “The 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 donor’s family.”
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 in 1971 and then went on to appear regularly on television 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.
Ant and Dec were among a host of stars paying tribute to Large on Twitter, writing: “So sad to hear about the passing of Eddie Large.
“We 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.”
Rotherham-born comedian Chuckle, whose brother and comedy partner, Barry, died in 2018, wrote: “Such a funny and lovely man. Love goes out to his family at this time.”
Also paying tribute yesterday was Sir Lenny, who recalled “midnight matinee Great Yarmouth” in 1978. He added: “They finished part one. I’d never heard laughter like it. Rude, raucous and rollicking. Dunno how they did it, but Eddie’s energy and electricity and impressions and props and improv were hugely impressive.”
In a statement which was released yesterday, comedy star Abbot said: “Eddie was one of the best. Totally and naturally funny.
“I was very fortunate to be around in the same era as him. He had the best years on TV.”
Large lived in Portishead, near Bristol, with his second wife, Patsy. He had three children.
It wasn’t like having a partner. We were friends.
Syd Little pays tribute to Eddie Large.