‘Comedian Eddie Large, best known for his comedy double act Little and Large, has died after contracting COVID-19 in hospital, his agent has confirmed.
His family said he caught the coronavirus while being treated for heart failure, and his son, Ryan McGinnis, posted on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that Mum and I need to announce that my dad passed away in the early hours of this morning.
“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.”
Large, real name Edward McGinnis, was best known for his partnership with Syd Little, with the pair achieving huge success on TV throughout the 1970s and ’80s after winning talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971.
In a statement sent to Sky News, Little said: “I am devastated to have lost not just my comedy partner of 60 years, but my friend of 60 years.”
Large’s agent, Peter Mansfield, confirmed his death, aged 78, saying the comedian’s family had not been able to sit in the room with him at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.’
