EDDIE Large's distraught widow broke down in tears as she revealed how he died in hospital alone of coronavirus.

The comedian died on Thursday aged 78 without any of his family by his side after contracting the deadly virus while on a ward.

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Patsy Scott, who was married to the funnyman from 1983 until his death, was inconsolable as she appeared on Good Morning Britain today with their son Ryan and Syd Little, Eddie's comedy partner of 60 years.

They were unable to be with Eddie because of the risk of spreading the deadly virus.

Patsy recalled how they spoke on the phone just hours before he died and he promised they would speak again.

She said: "I wanted to talk to him longer but he said 'Darling, I am going to have to go now'.

"I said 'Don't worry, love – I will speak to you in the morning' but that wasn't to be as in the early hours of the morning – at about four o'clock – they rang to say he had passed away and we couldn't be with him.

"I never thought it would end like this, I really didn't, and I know a lot of families are going through the same thing. It is such a terrible time."

Patsy became tearful as she spoke about how they could not be with Eddie in hospital.

She said: "I wish we could have been with him. Even trying to get a funeral together we still won't be able to see him.

"The lockdown came and we had to sort of not go in anymore and so it was heartbreaking.

"We'd speak to him on the phone every day a couple of times a day.

"Then he got this virus…it was heartbreaking we couldn't be with him."

The Glasgow-born comic, who grew up in Manchester, had suffered previous health troubles – particularly with his heart and kidneys.

He revealed how he spent weeks in intensive care before receiving a heart transplant in 2003.

He was later hospitalised after a serious fall near his home in 2013. While being treated, he contracted pneumonia, had pancreatic problems and a collapsed lung.

His son Ryan, who described Eddie as an "amazing" dad, said coronavirus had been the "final straw" on his body.

The TV star was best known for his Little And Large partnership with Syd Little in the 1970s and 80s.

Paying tribute, Syd said he "missed him madly", adding: "It's definitely an emotional rollercoaster at the moment."

He said: "He had been ill for a while but when it happens, it hits you.

"We were together 60 years. It wasn't like having a partner. We were friends."

The comic said he had remained in almost daily contact with his comedy partner and spoke to him on Wednesday night shortly before he passed away.

Syd added: "He was in pain, bless him, but he even asked me how are we up here [in Lancashire].

"He was so thoughtful to everybody."

Reflecting on their 60-year career, the comedian continued: "We did everything there was to do in showbiz and we did it together. Happy times."

After forming double act Little and Large in 1963, Syd and Eddie went on to win Opportunity Knocks and had a long-running comedy sketch show on BBC One in the 1970s and 80s that attracted audiences of millions.

Announcing his dad's death last week, Ryan wrote: "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."

Large, who lived near Bristol, also has two daughters and three grandchildren.

His agent Peter Mansfield added: "He was at Southmead Hospital and the Papworth Hospital, which did his heart transplant 17 years ago, were in constant communication and a great help as well.

"The family wanted to say how grateful they are for the extra 17 years that they have had with Eddie. And a huge thank you to the donor and the donor's family."

His ailing health is what sparked him to split from his Little and Large comedy act, saying it was the "hardest" thing he had to do.

He said: "That phone call to Syd was the most painful I've ever had to make.

"I was crying my eyes out because I knew I was putting him out of work. He had bills to pay. I felt horrible.

"We weren’t just a double act. We were mates, right from the start."

Tributes were paid to Large, who was remembered as a "great chap" and a "gentle, funny man".

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