Syd Little has been "hit" by the death of his closest friend and comedy partner Eddie Large.
The late comic tragically passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning (02.04.20) aged 78 after contracting coronavirus whilst in hospital to be treated for heart failure.
And his comedy partner Syd – with whom he made up the iconic double act Little and Large – has now said that despite knowing Eddie had been "ill for a while", news of his passing still shocked him.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Syd said: "He had been ill for a while but when it happens, it hits you.
"We were together 60 years. It wasn’t like having a partner. We were friends."
The comic stayed in almost daily contact with Eddie whilst he was in hospital, and spoke to him on Wednesday (01.04.20) night just hours before he died.
He added: "He was in pain, bless him, but he even asked me how are we up here [in Lancashire]. He was so thoughtful to everybody."
Eddie’s death was confirmed in a Facebook post by his son Ryan.
He 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.
"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. Dad had fought bravely for so long. Due to this horrible disease we had been unable to visit him at hospital but all of the family and close friends spoke to him every day.
"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.
"RIP Dad
"We love you and miss you, from all the family."
Syd Little ‘hit’ by the death of Eddie Large
