Little and Large

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Little and Large were a British comedy double act comprised of straight man Syd Little (Born Cyril Mead in 1942) and comic Eddie Large (Born Edward McGuiness in 1941). They formed their partnership in 1962, appearing as singers in local pubs around the North-West of England. They later turned to comedy and, after appearing on Opportunity Knocks they had their own Thames Television series in 1977, and then appeared on BBC1 from 1978 until their show was cancelled in 1991. The two were at the peak of their popularity, along with Cannon and Ball, in the 1980s. However, as mainstream comedy moved away from pantomimish themes and into more controversial areas 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.

The double act format continued however, with Hale and Pace, Fry and Laurie and French and Saunders amongst the many to carry on the tradition.