Little and Large 'haven't spoken for a long time'

Former comedy double act Little and Large no longer maintain contact, comedian Eddie Large revealed today.

Syd Little and his TV partner became one of the country's biggest variety acts after winning ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1971.

Their primetime Saturday evening BBC1 series The Little And Large Show attracted audiences of close to 15 million at the peak of its 13-year run before it was axed in 1991.

The duo kept in touch after their show ended but have not spoken to each other in recent years, according to funnyman Large, now 68.

Large, who was famous for interrupting his co-star, told TV Times: "I haven't seen Syd for years. He lives up near Blackpool and I live near Bristol, so I haven't spoken to him for a long time."

Large had a life-saving heart transplant seven years ago this month and his wife, Patsy, was warned that he might not survive the operation.

The Glasgow-born star, real-name Edward McGinnis, said: "I'm not dashing 200 miles up the country to do a stand-up show, then 200 miles back.

"I don't do that any more because it's what made me ill in the first place. I don't really miss it."

Large, who has a non-speaking part in Dappers, a comedy-drama pilot for BBC3, said of the decision to pull the plug on The Little And Large Show: "The BBC kicked us out because the ratings went down to about eight million.

"When they get eight million now they're having champagne parties, but that's just the way of the world."