Portishead bids an emotional goodbye to comedian Eddie Large on the day of his funeral

Friends and fans of Eddie Large came out of their homes in Portishead this afternoon (April 24) to bid an emotional farewell to the comedy legend.

They waved and clapped as his funeral cortege passed through the streets of his adopted home town.

Eddie died earlier this month of coronavirus at Bristol's Southmead Hospital.

Among the mourners at South Bristol Crematorium was Eddie's comedy sidekick Syd Little, who made the journey from his home near Blackpool to join Eddie's wife Patsy and a small group of mourners.

  • Syd Little describes the day as he and Eddie's 'last performance':

Following an appeal from his family for fans, friends and neighbours to pay tribute to the star, a huge crowd gave him an emotional send off as the procession left his home at The Mirage, Harbour Road.

Local families took to the street - while observing social distancing - to applaud and wave-off Eddie's casket as his family and friends followed the hearse on foot.

Mourners lined the streets to applaud Eddie one last time

Eddie's son, Ryan McGinness, spoke to ITV News West Country ahead of the funeral, praising his father and sharing the pride he and his family had for him.

As well as asking people to come out in person to remember his father, a Justgiving fundraising page has been set up for people to make a donation in memory of Eddie.

All proceeds will go to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge where he underwent a life-changing heart transplant 17 years ago.

He died alone after contracting coronavirus at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, with his family unable to be by his side.

Those who stepped out to pay their respects have described Eddie as 'Portishead royalty'.

Known by everyone in the local area, one resident said "he was lovely to everyone, and everyone loved him".

A memorial service will be held for Eddie in Portishead once lockdown restrictions have been lifted, and it is safe for people to gather to celebrate his life.