Eddie Large death: Matt Lucas and Lenny Henry lead tributes to Little and Large star

Comedian has been remembered for his ‘energy and electricity’

Tributes have been pouring in for Eddie Large after the comedian died from coronavirus, aged 78.

The comic was best known for being part of the double act Little and Large. His son Ryan McGinnis announced the news of his death on Facebook, revealing that “he 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.”

Matt Lucas led the tributes to Large on Twitter, writing: “Eddie Large (along with his supersonic friend Syd) was really lovely and kind and encouraging to me when I was a nipper on Shooting Stars. So sad to hear of his passing.”

Lenny Henry, meanwhile, remembered Large’s “energy and electricity”. He wrote: “Eddie Large died. Midnight Matinee Great Yarmouth 1978. They finished part one. I’d never heard laughter like it. Rude, raucous and rollicking. Dunno how they did it, but Eddie’s energy and electricity and impressions and props and improv were hugely impressive. R.I.P.”

Reece Shearsmith, Jason Manford, Piers Morgan, Kate Robbins, Michael Barrymore, Edgar Wright and Paul Chuckle were among others to remember the star on social media.

Large was best known for his comedy partnership with Syd Little, who has not yet publicly responded to the news.

The pair rocketed to fame via talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971 and were given their own sketch series, The Little and Large Show, in 1978. It ultimately ran for 11 series, eventually ending in 1991.

After their show ended, Large fell out with Little, but the duo reconciled in their later years and appeared on a number of TV shows together, including Celebrity Pointless and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.