The 78-year-old comic known as a member of comedy duo Little and Large has passed away while receiving treatment in hospital following battle with coronavirus.
- Apr 3, 2020
AceShowbiz - British comedian Eddie Large has died at the age of 78 after contracting coronavirus.
The funnyman, real name Edward McGinnis, who was best known as one half of the comedy duo Little and Large, alongside fellow comic Syd Little, died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday, April 2, 2020 morning, where he had been admitted for heart failure.
In a Facebook post, his son Ryan McGinnis wrote, "It is with great sadness that mum and I need to announce that my dad, Edward Mcginnis, passed away in the early hours of this morning."
"Dad had fought bravely for so long," he added. "We will miss him terribly and we are so proud of everything that he achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them each week."
Eddie was alone when he died, as family or friends were not allowed to visit him due to the strict rules around slowing the spread of the virus.
"RIP Dad. We love you and miss you from all the family," Ryan concluded the post.
Eddie and Syd rose to fame in the talent show "Opportunity Knocks", which they won in 1971. They went on to front the "Little and Large" show on BBC One, which regularly attracted up to 18 million viewers.
He had suffered from ill-health in the last few years, and had a heart transplant in 2003, which put an end to his and Syd's double act.
Eddie is survived by his second wife Patsy and his three children, Samantha, Alison, and Ryan.
