Syd Little has broken his silence over his best friend and comedy partner Eddie Large’s tragic death at the age of 78 after contracting coronavirus in hospital.
A Facebook post from the family of Eddie, who’s real name is Edward Hugh McGinnis, said the star died from heart failure after contracting coronavirus in hospital.
Sid has now broken his silence to pay tribute to his pal who together made up one of the country’s most beloved comedy duos, known as Little And Large, who had millions of fans across the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.
In a poignant statement, Syd said: “He had been ill for a while but when it happens, it hits you.
Sid has paid tribute to his best friend Eddie, who died from heart failure after contracting coronavirus (Image: Getty Images)
“We were together 60 years. It wasn’t like having a partner. We were friends.”
Sid revealed he had remained in almost daily contact with Eddie, and spoke to him on Wednesday night, shortly before he died.
“He was in pain, bless him, but he even asked me how are we up here [in Lancashire],” he said. “He was so thoughtful to everybody.”
Reflecting on their decades-long career, he added: “We did everything there was to do in showbiz and we did it together. Happy times.”
The pair, known as Little and Large, spent 60 years together (Image: Getty Images)
Sid had been there for Eddie throughout his health battles after the star was diagnosed with heart failure.
While Eddie battled with his heart condition, the comedy duo continued performing for another decade as Syd nursed Eddie get through it.
It wasn’t until doctors warned Eddie that he would “drop dead on stage” that he agreed to retire and the pair went their separate ways.
Sid said he spoke to Eddie almost daily before his death (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on getting through the shows, Eddie told The Mirror that the adrenaline “helped him get through the shows”.
Eddie said: “When I put my seatbelt on in the car, I had to sit there for a minute just to get my breath back. Even turning the key in the ignition was an effort. It was a nightmare.
“Syd was living it with me, every minute of every day. When we did panto in Wimbledon he spent every day going to pharmacists, buying stuff to help me breathe. He was so supportive.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
