Little and Large were a highly popular British comedy double act consisting of straight man Syd Little (Cyril John Mead) and manic comic Eddie Large (Edward Hugh McGinnis). [1]
The duo originally formed in 1962 in a Manchester pub after Eddie began heckling Syd during his musical performance. They rose to prominence after winning ITV's talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971. This success eventually landed them their mainstream breakthrough, culminating in a highly successful Saturday night variety programme. [2, 3, 4, 5]
The Little and Large Show
Their signature variety and sketch series, The Little and Large Show, aired on BBC1 from 1978 to 1991. At the absolute peak of its popularity in the 1980s, the family-friendly blend of slapstick, impressions, and musical guests regularly pulled in massive audiences of nearly 15 million weekly viewers. [3, 6, 7, 8]
Their standard comedic routine followed a distinct dynamic: [9]
- Syd Little: The "lugubrious" straight man who attempted to play guitar, sing, or talk seriously to the audience.
- Eddie Large: The hyperactive, frenetic comic who constantly interrupted Syd with corny jokes and celebrity impressions (such as his famous rendition of the cartoon character Deputy Dawg). [8]
Later Years and Legacy
Following a decline in popularity, their BBC show was cancelled in 1991. The duo continued to tour theatres and holiday parks until Eddie's severe heart issues forced him to retire from the stage. In 2003, Eddie underwent a life-saving heart transplant. Sadly, Eddie Large passed away at the age of 78 on 2 April 2020 after contracting COVID-19 while being treated in the hospital for heart failure. [2, 8, 10]
Would you like to explore specific sketches from their show, details about their musical guest stars, or their early club career in the North of England? [4, 7, 8, 9]
No comments:
Post a Comment