Edward Hugh McGinnis(25 June 1941 – 2 April 2020), better known by the stage nameEddie Large,was a British comedian. He was best known as one half of the double actLittle and Large,withSyd Little(the stage name of Cyril Mead).
| Eddie Large | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Edward Hugh McGinnis |
| Born | 25 June 1941 Glasgow,Scotland |
| Died | 2 April 2020(aged 78) Bristol,England |
| Medium | Comedian |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 3 |
| Notable works and roles | The Little and Large Show |
Early life
editLarge was born Edward Hugh McGinnis inGlasgowin 1941.[1]His father Teddy served as aPetty Officerin theRoyal NavyduringWorld War IIand after he returned from the war the family moved to atenementinOatlands.[2]When he was nine years old, the family moved again toManchester,where he attended Claremont Road Primary School[3]and agrammar school.[4]He played football as a schoolboy, becoming a supporter of nearbyManchester Citywhich had its ground opposite his home,[5]and he maintained a lifelong devotion to the club. After he left school, he worked as an electrician and was a singer.[6]
Little and Large
editLarge met singer and guitarist Cyril Mead in the Stonemason's Arms pub inTimperleyand they formed a double act following the reaction to Eddie's comic heckling of Cyril,[3]who switched to comedy. The duo then performed in northern clubs, turning professional in 1963.[7]As Little and Large, the two men began their television career on the talent showOpportunity Knockswinning in 1971[8]and starred in many television comedy programmes, including their own seriesThe Little and Large Show[1]and theITVseriesWho Do You Do?doing impressions and also performing aspantomimestars.[9]
In an interview in 2010, Large said that he and Syd Little had not spoken to each other for several years.[10]During the 2010–11 football season, football entertainment showSoccer AMproduced comedy sketches with Peterborough footballerMark Little,and Eddie Large, as the newly reformed Little and Large.[11]
Later career
editLarge worked on the after-dinner circuit[12]and, in the latter years of his life, performed some cameo acting roles in dramas such asThe BriefandBlackpool.[9]His autobiography, entitledLarger than Life,was published in 2005.[13]In 2013, Large released his first single without Little, a parody of "Je t'aime... moi non plus"bySerge Gainsbourgentitled "Gee Musky... Moi Non Plus".[14]
Personal life and death
editLarge married his first wife, Sandra Baywood, in 1965. The marriage ended in divorce, with Large marrying his second wife, Patsy Scott, in 1983.[15]Large lived inPortishead,nearBristol,with his wife Patsy and 26-year-old son.[9]He also had two daughters and three grandchildren.[1]
After being admitted to hospital in March 2002 due to kidney problems, Large underwent aheart transplantatPapworth Hospital,Cambridgein 2003 at the age of 62, and recovered fully.[9]Large was hospitalised for some weeks in late 2013 after tripping over a road sign near his Portishead home.[16]
Large died on 2 April 2020, aged 78 atSouthmead HospitalinBristolafter contracting coronavirus while receiving treatment forheart failure.Large had suffered from kidney and heart problems for a number of years.[13]Large's funeral took place at South Bristol Crematorium on 24 April 2020, in Bristol, with Syd Little in attendance, who said that Large was his "best friend".[17]
References
edit- ^abcDixon, Stephen (2 April 2020)."Eddie Large obituary".The Guardian.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^Eddie Large and Stafford Hildred (1 July 2005).Larger Than Life: My Autobiography.John Blake.ISBN1844541282.
- ^abWythenshawe Famous locals Little and LargeRetrieved 11 February 2016
- ^Who's Who on Television.ITV Books, 1982
- ^Chronicle, Evening (18 June 2003)."Heart swap for Eddie Large".nechronicle.
- ^Gray, Sarra."Eddie Large: Little and Large star made millions from impressive 50 year career".Daily Express.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^Owen, Cathy (2 April 2020)."Comedian Eddie Large of Little & Large has died".Wales Online.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^"Little and Large 'haven't spoken for a long time'".Independent. 1 June 2010.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^abcd"Eddie Large: Comedian dies aged 78 with coronavirus".BBC News.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^"Little and Large 'haven't spoken for a long time'".The Independent.1 June 2010.Retrieved23 July2013.
- ^"Soccer AM | Sky Sports".Soccer AM. 13 August 2010.Retrieved23 July2013.
- ^"Eddie Large, funnyman half of the prime-time television double-act Little and Large – obituary".Daily Telegraph. 2 April 2020.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^abEvans, Mel (2 April 2020)."Comedian Eddie Large dies aged 78 after contracting coronavirus".Metro.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^Lavender, Jane (2 April 2020)."Eddie Large's regret about heart transplant that saved his life".Mirror.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^"Comedian Eddie Large dies aged 78 after contracting coronavirus".The Irish Times.Retrieved2 April2020.
- ^"Comedian Eddie Large in hospital after road sign fall".BBC News. 16 November 2013.Retrieved16 November2013.
- ^"Coronavirus: Eddie Large funeral held in Bristol".BBC News.24 April 2020.Retrieved24 April2020.