Eddie fought so hard to live, the virus was the last straw .. we are all heartbroken
Supersonic Syd in emotional tribute to the Glasgow-born funnyman killed by Covid-19
SYD Little has told how he has been left “devastated” after the death of Eddie Large from coronavirus.
The Glasgow-born comedy legend, part of the hugely successful double act Little and Large, passed away aged 78 after contracting the killer bug.
He had been admitted to hospital with heart failure earlier this month.
Eddie, whose real surname was McGinnis, caught the virus while being treated, leaving his family unable to be with him in his final days.
“He’d been ill for a while but when it happens, it hits you,” Syd said. “We were together 60 years. It wasn’t like having a partner. We were friends.”
Syd, 77, said he had remained in almost daily contact and spoke to Eddie on Wednesday night, shortly before he died.
“He was in pain, bless him, but he even asked me how we are up here in Lancashire,” he said. “He was so thoughtful to everybody.”
He added: “We did everything there was to do in showbiz and we did it together. Happy times.”
Eddie’s family told of their pain at not being allowed to be with the comic, who along with Syd attracted 15million viewers at their peak.
His son Ryan McGinnis posted on Facebook yesterday: “It is with great sadness that mum and I need to announce my dad… passed away in the early hours of this morning. “He has been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, while 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.”
Patsy, his wife of 37 years, said he kept fighting until the end, adding: “We are all absolutely heartbroken. Eddie fought so hard to live.
“Catching coronavirus was the final straw for him. Our hearts are broken. We are all devastated.
“I just want everyone to remember him.”
His agent Peter Mansfield praised the NHS, saying: “His family were very sad not to be able to be in the same room as him, touching him, in the last week. But they wanted to say thank you to the NHS, which was fantastic throughout.”
Speaking about the star’s life-saving heart transplant in 2003, he added: “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.”
Ian Tough of the Krankies told how Syd phoned him yesterday to break the news. Ian said: “Syd was obviously emotional – they were close like brothers.”
Yesterday, comedy stars paid tribute. Little Britain’s Matt Lucas said: “Eddie (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.”
Comedian Jason Manford tweeted: “Came to every comedy and musical show I did whenever I hit Bristol and was always around for a chat about comedy and Man City afterwards.
Such a gentle, funny man. RIP Eddie.”
A post from Manchester City Football Club on Twitter said: “Everyone at Manchester City is sad to hear that lifelong City fan Eddie Large has passed away aged 78.”
Former boxer Frank Bruno said: “We spent loads of quality time together. Funny, funny man and great to work with.”
Lenny Henry said: “Midnight Matinee Great Yarmouth 1978. They finished part one. I’d never heard laughter like it. Rude, raucous and rollicking.”
A tweet from Ant McPartlin and
Declan Donnelly’s joint Twitter account said: “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. ”
Paul Chuckle remembered him as a “funny and lovely man”.
Eddie, who was born in Glasgow’s Gorbals area but grew up in Manchester, formed his double act with Syd in 1963.
It came after he watched his future friend’s set in a local pub before joining him on stage to sing a Cliff Richard song.
The pair won Opportunity Knocks in 1971 and their prime-time BBC One series The Little And Large Show ran from 1978 to1991.
In 2010, Eddie revealed that he had not spoken to Syd for some time.
But they got back in touch with each other in recent years and appeared together on Good Morning Britain in 2017 when Eddie talked about his struggles with his health.