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Comedian Eddie Large, best known for being part of double act Little and Large, has sadly passed away aged 78 after being admitted to hospital with heart failure. He tested positive for coronavirus.
The news was confirmed on social media by his son Ryan, who 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 while 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 the 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 he achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them each week."
BELOW the celebrities we've sadly lost in 2020
Celeb deaths 2020
1 of 12Silvio Horta
Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta was found dead in January 2020, aged 45, by suspected suicide. Coroners confirmed cause of death was a "self inflicted gunshot wound".
2 of 12Christopher Beeny
Veteran British actor Christopher Beeny, best known for his roles in Last of the Summer Wine and Upstairs Downstairs, died "at home in his armchair" aged 78 in January.
3 of 12Bobbi Kristina Brown's ex-fiancé Nick Gordon
One time fiancé of troubled Bobby-Kristina Brown, Nick Gordon, died on New Year's Day 2020 after being rushed to hospital following "multiple heart attacks" during a suspected drugs overdose.
4 of 12Derek Acorah
Most Haunted's Derek Acorah, who once starred on Celebrity Big Brother, died in January aged 68 after contracting sepsis and falling into a coma.
5 of 12Kobe and Gianna Byrant
Kobe Byrant - basketball player for LA Lakers – and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a freak helicopter crash along with seven others in January. He was one of the most celebrated basketball players in the world.
6 of 12Kirk Douglas
Hollywood legend, Kirk Douglas dies aged of 103. His acting career spanned seven decades, but perhaps he is best know for his role in 1960 classic, Spartacus. He was father to Oscar winner, Michael Douglas.
7 of 12Caroline Flack
Love Island presenter Caroline Flack died aged 40 in February 2020 after sadly taking her own life. The former Strictly Come Dancing winner was engulfed in a media storm, after she was arrested and charged with alleged assault by beating her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
8 of 12Eddie Large
Comedy legend Eddie Large, best known as one half of Little and Large with Syd Little, sadly passed away aged 78 in March 2020 after contracting coronavirus in hospital. Little and Large formed in 1963 and won talent show Opportunity Knocks, going on to front a long-running BBC sketch show which attracted millions of viewers.
9 of 12Tim Brooke-Taylor
Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor died at the age of 79 with coronavirus in April 2020. He best known as one third of the 1970s show The Goodies, and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
10 of 12June Bernicoff
Gogglebox star June Bernicoff died at the age of 82 in May 2020 following a short illness. Channel 4 paid tribute in a statement, which read, "'As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme's success. Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series."
11 of 12Little Richard
Rock'n'roll pioneer Little Richard died of bone cancer aged 87 in May 2020. Known for his hits Good Golly Miss Molly, Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally, the musician was credited as an influence by Elton John, Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
12 of 12Paula Tilbrook
Emmerdale star Paula Tilbrook - who played Betty Eagleton - sadly passed away aged 89. She starred on the show for 21 years.
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Eddie’s comedy partner Syd Little added, “I am devastated to have lost not just my comedy partner of 60 years, but my friend of 60 years."
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he continued, “We were together 60 years. It wasn't like having a partner. We were friends.
“We did everything there was to do in showbiz and we did it together. Happy times."
Syd and Eddie formed the duo Little and Large in 1963 and went on to win talent show Opportunity Knocks. Their long-running sketch show which aired on BBC One in the 1970s and 80s regularly attracted audiences of millions.
The likes of Ant and Dec, Lenny Henry and Jason Manford have all paid tribute to Eddie, who is survived by wife Patsy, his three children and three grandchildren.