Eddie Large facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eddie Large |
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| Birth name | Edward Hugh McGinnis |
| Born | 25 June 1941 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 2 April 2020 (aged 78) Bristol, England |
| Medium | Comedian |
| Nationality | British |
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| Children | 3 |
| Notable works and roles | The Little and Large Show |
Edward Hugh McGinnis (born 25 June 1941 – died 2 April 2020) was a famous British comedian. He was known by his stage name, Eddie Large. Eddie was one half of a very popular comedy duo called Little and Large. His comedy partner was Syd Little, whose real name was Cyril Mead.
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Growing Up: Eddie Large's Early Life
Eddie Large was born Edward Hugh McGinnis in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1941. His father was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during World War II. After the war, his family moved to a flat in Oatlands.
When Eddie was nine, his family moved again to Manchester, England. He went to Claremont Road Primary School there. Eddie loved playing football as a boy. He became a big fan of Manchester City football club. Their stadium was right across from his home. He supported the team his whole life. After school, Eddie worked as an electrician. He also enjoyed singing.
Little and Large: A Comedy Duo is Born
Eddie Large met Cyril Mead, who was a singer and guitarist, in a pub. Eddie would often make funny jokes while Cyril was performing. People loved their funny interactions. So, they decided to form a comedy act together.
They became known as Little and Large. The duo started performing in clubs in northern England. They became professional comedians in 1963. Their television career began on a talent show called Opportunity Knocks. They won the show in 1971.
After that, Little and Large starred in many TV comedy shows. They had their own popular series called The Little and Large Show. They also appeared on the ITV show Who Do You Do?, where they did funny impressions. They were also popular pantomime stars.
In 2010, Eddie Large mentioned that he and Syd Little had not spoken for some years. However, they reunited briefly for a football comedy show. This show was called Soccer AM. They performed sketches with a footballer named Mark Little.
Eddie Large's Later Career
After his main comedy career, Eddie Large continued to work. He often performed at special events and dinners. In his later years, he also took on some small acting roles. You might have seen him in TV dramas like The Brief and Blackpool.
Eddie wrote a book about his life. It was called Larger than Life and came out in 2005.
Personal Life and Health Challenges
Eddie Large married Sandra Baywood in 1965. This marriage later ended. He then married his second wife, Patsy Scott, in 1983. Eddie lived in Portishead, near Bristol, with Patsy and his son. He also had two daughters and three grandchildren.
Eddie faced some health challenges during his life. In 2002, he was in the hospital because of kidney problems. In 2003, when he was 62, he had a heart transplant at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. He recovered well from this major surgery. In 2013, he was in the hospital again for a few weeks. This was after he tripped over a road sign near his home.
Eddie Large's Passing
Eddie Large passed away on 2 April 2020. He was 78 years old. He died at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. Eddie had been receiving treatment for heart failure. Sadly, he caught coronavirus while in the hospital. He had suffered from kidney and heart problems for many years.
Eddie Large's funeral was held on 24 April 2020. It took place in Bristol. His comedy partner, Syd Little, attended the funeral. Syd said that Eddie was his "best friend."
