Eddie Large, the comedian best known for double act Little and Large, has died from coronavirus, aged 78.
His son Ryan McGinnis announced the news on Facebook, revealing that Large had been suffering with heart failure in hospital before contracting the illness.
“It is with great sadness that Mum and I need to announce that my dad passed away in the early hours of this morning,” McGinnis said.
“He had been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, whilst in hospital, contracted the coronavirus, which his heart was sadly not strong enough to fight.”
McGinnis added: “Dad had 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.”
Large – real name Edward McGinnis – was best known for his comedy partnership with Syd Little (real name Cyril Mead), who is 77.
The pair launched to fame via talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971 and were given their own sketch series, The Little and Large Show, in 1978.
The hit BBC series ran for 11 series, eventually ending in 1991. At its peaks, the show was viewed by up to 15 million viewers.
After the show ended, Large is said to have fallen out with Little, but the duo reconciled in their later years and appeared on TV shows together, including Pointless Celebrities and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Matt Lucas, Jason Manford and Kate Robbins led tributes to the comedian.
Another famous figure to die of coronavirus is Adam Schlesinger, the Fountains of Wayne singer who co-wrote hit song “Stacy’s Mom” as well as numerous tracks for films and TV shows. He was 52.
