Little and Large

Little and Large
Medium Film, television, stand-up, music, books
Genres Observational comedy, musical comedy, satire,
Subject(s) marriage, everyday life, current events, pop culture

Little and Large were a British comedy double act comprising straight man Syd Little (Born Cyril Mead in 1942) and comic Eddie Large (Born Edward McGinnis in Glasgow in 1941). They formed their partnership in 1962, appearing as singers in local pubs around north-west England. They later turned to comedy and, after appearing on Opportunity Knocks they had their own Thames Television series The Little and Large Tellyshow in 1977, and then appeared on BBC1 on The Little and Large Show from 1978 until their show was cancelled in 1991.

Eddie Large was generally the funny man while Syd Little was the more serious 'straight guy'. Eddie Large performed a number of impressions, particularly cartoon characters like Deputy Dawg and Woody Woodpecker,[1] while Syd Little simply stood next to him, looking perplexed and distressed.

They continued to appear in theatres and pantomimes, including "Babes in the Woods" written by Ian Billings. The two were at the peak of their popularity, along with Cannon and Ball, in the 1980s. However, as mainstream comedy moved away from their pantomimish style towards alternative comedy, their popularity dwindled.

When they first appeared Little and Large were seen for a time as successors to Morecambe and Wise, who defected from the BBC to ITV in 1978, but despite the long run of their show the pair never entered the public consciousness in the way Eric and Ernie did.

Eddie Large was told that he might have a heart attack at any moment. The partnership split up when Eddie Large had to have a heart transplant.[1]

Syd Little performs on cruise ships, notably on the QE2 during September 2007, and now runs The "Little" Restaurant at The Strawberry Gardens pub in his hometown of Fleetwood. Eddie Large also remains in showbusiness. Eddie Large revealed in an interview in 2010 that he had not spoken to Syd Little for several years.[2]

Syd is a member of the showbiz association Christians In Entertainment run by Pastor Chris Gidney.

References

  1. 1 2 'The Story of Light Entertainment' BBC Two, 25 February 2012
  2. ↑ "Little and Large 'haven't spoken for a long time'". The Independent. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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