The comedian Eddie Large has died because of coronavirus at the age of 78.
Born Hugh McGinnis in Glasgow, he would grow up in Manchester's Moss Side.
Large was one half of comedy duo Little & Large along with Syd Little, and they were mainstays of British television in the 1970s and 80s.
More than that - Large was a Manchester City fanatic.
Indeed, it was the Premier League giants who were among the first to pay tribute when news of his passing broke, saying "our thoughts are with Eddie's friends and family at this difficult time.
Everyone at Manchester City is sad to hear that lifelong City fan and celebrity Eddie Large has passed away aged 78.
Our thoughts are with Eddie’s friends and family at this difficult time 💙 pic.twitter.com/QULhg8qudS— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 2, 2020
Large was so beloved at City that when John Bond took over at Maine Road in 1980, the comedian was regularly invited to sit on the bench during games.
Such was his status as a 'lucky mascot' at the club in those days, Large even made the bench at Wembley for City's FA Cup final date with Tottenham in 1981. City would lose the replay in a game Large watched in Spain.
"He loved having me on the bench", said Large of his connection with Bond.
But at the 1981 semi-final with Ipswich Town, Large nearly came a cropper, telling ManCity.com, "You go to Villa Park and it's like a dug-out with a concrete roof.
"So you're sat down like this [hunkered down], and of course when Paul Power scored that free kick in extra-time... BASH! [hits head on roof], and Rob Elliott the physio had to give me smelling salts."
But it's a recollection from (former City midfielder) Paul Lake's autobiography I'm Not Really Here that encapsulates just how woven Large was into City's fabric.
In May of 1989, City were at home to Bournemouth and looking to seal promotion back to the old First Division.
By half-time at Maine Road, City were 3-0 up and not only about to gain promotion, but according to Lake the squad were "promised us an immediate no-expense spared holiday abroad if we were to secure the three points".
Manager Mel Machin warned against complacency, but as Lake recounts:
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