The last reunion
LITTLE AND LARGE TO BE REUNITED FOR FINAL TIME – AS EDDIE IS LAID TO REST
COMEDY legends Little and Large will be reunited for a final time when Eddie is laid to rest.
Syd Little, Eddie’s sidekick for more than half a century, will give the eulogy at the funeral of his close friend at South Bristol Crematorium today.
Syd, and wife Sheree, will be among just 10 family and close friends allowed to attend the service, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
A large spray of flowers - in white and blue in a nod to Eddie’s love of Manchester City Football Club - will adorn his coffin.
Eddie’s wife of 36 years Patsy said: “Of course Syd had to give the eulogy and send Eddie off on his final journey.
“It’s their final appearance together.”
Eddie’s daughter Alison will read a poem at the service and the song Run by Leona Lewis - a track which Eddie previously dedicated to Patsy due to its lyrics - will be played.
A version of the theme music from The Little and Large Show, recorded by pianist and BBC correspondent Steve Rosenburg in tribute to Eddie, will also be played.
“Steve was a fan of Eddie and this piece is beautiful, much slower than the original theme music and so moving,” said Patsy.
“It is a wonderful tribute to Eddie that this will be featured in the service.”
Eddie, who lived at Portishead’s marina with Patsy, was often seen out and about in the town.
Fans, friends and those who knew him are invited to come out to wave him off tomorrow as he makes his final journey along the High Street.
“Because of the current restrictions, the funeral has to be a small one,” said Patsy.
“But we are inviting those who wish to, to come and wave Eddie off as he leaves the town he loved so much.
“Obviously there are the social distancing guidelines to adhere to and people need to be very conscious of those.
“But we just wanted to give people the chance to say their final goodbye to Eddie if they wished.”
Eddie, 78, - real name Edward
McGinnis - died on April 2 after contracting coronavirus while in Southmead Hospital undergoing treatment for heart problems.
His son Ryan announced his death in an emotional post on Facebook.
“We are all going to miss him terribly,” said Patsy
“We couldn’t see him for 12 days when he was in hospital due to coronavirus, but we spoke to him several times a day on Facetime, including on the night before he died.”
Stars from across the industry, including many who performed with Eddie over the years, have paid tribute to him.
And the family say they have been overwhelmed and ‘so touched’ by the kind words and messages.
“We have had so many wonderful tributes to Eddie from people who worked with him, fans, friends and those who knew him in Portishead,” said Patsy.
“These have been so comforting to us as a family.
“We have had messages from Jason Manford, Linda Lusardi, Bobby Davro and The Krankies and the other day Jimmy Tarbuck rang us to say how sorry he was.”
A memorial service for Eddie, who moved to Portishead 11 years ago, is planned when restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.
“Obviously due to the current situation, we have had to keep things small,” said Patsy.
“But we are planning a memorial when possible so we can all get together and celebrate Eddie’s life and have a good knees up for him. “It’s what he would have wanted.” A Justgiving fundraising page has been set up in memory of Eddie.
All money raised will go to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge where Eddie underwent a life-changing heart transplant 17 years ago.
Eddie and Syd won the hearts of the nation as the double act Little and Large.
The duo performed in northern clubs, turning professional in 1963.
As Little and Large, the duo began their television career on the talent show Opportunity Knocks, winning in 1971.
They went on to star in many television comedy programmes, including their own series The Little and Large Show and the ITV series Who Do You Do? doing impressions and also performing as pantomime stars.
Eddie will be leaving his home at The Mirage, Harbour Road, at 1.30pm today.