ACCORDING to his wife, Syd Little is a compulsive chatterbox. 'She says I'd even talk to dead people, me!'

The Blackpool-born half of top comedy duo Little and Large is currently on a tour of regional venues with film and TV actor Frank Williams of Dad's Army fame.

Together they are enchanting audiences with songs and anecdotes from the world of entertainment — and will be at the Wharf, Tavistock on Saturday, June 22.

'I have been learning a lot of songs which keeps the old grey matter going and that is what keeps me mentally fit. Also, on this tour I can sing a song all the way through without Eddie butting in,' quips Syd.

Next year he and Eddie celebrate 40 years as Little and Large. Originally a painter and decorator he still enjoys doing all his own decorating at home and is a keen DIY enthusiast.

'I got the sack from decorating. I refused to do overtime as I had an evening job. The boss said I had to make my mind up between decorating and showbiz.'

Choosing the latter was the catalyst that set Little and Large on the road to success.

Ironically Syd did not intend to be a comedian. He ambition was to be a singer: 'I wanted to be a pop star — someone like Adam Faith or Buddy Holly . . .'

But the audience had other ideas. So the comedy grew and flourished and the singing took a back seat.

'Eddie is a very good comedian. He is a funny man and can still make me laugh after 40 years. There are plenty of gag machines with routines about but there are not so many funny men. Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Eric Morecombe were funny men. They made you laugh before they opened their mouths.'

The last TV series Little and Large did was in 1991 but people don't forget a face.

'It is amazing how many people say we haven't changed. People say they used to watch us when they were six years old. They were brought up on us.

'Robbie Williams called me up the other day to say he kept having this recurring dream and Little and Large were in it all the time. I said: "don't tell the press because it will ruin your street cred!" He was very kind and thanked us for the hours of enjoyment he had from watching us on TV. He didn't have to do that.'

In the first ten years of their act the garrulous Syd never said a word.

'Our audience built up our act for us. With Eddie's rotund appearance and my skinny frame people began to laugh and that is where the comedy came in and took over. People said why didn't I do more — but that was the act,' says Syd.

'Morecombe and Wise and Mike and Bernie Winters were into cross-patter. I think that's what made us different. People said Eddie was a one-man double act. But he used to bounce off me without me saying a word — then, when I did something it meant more.'

When they first met Syd was 17 and Eddie was 19. The double act evolved from a mutual love of entertaining.

'In 40 years I can say hand-on-heart I can count on one hand our bust-ups.

'The older you get the more mature you become and the better you can handle things. You learn when to back off and when you can have an argument,' says Syd.

'It is like a partnership. You get to know each other's weaknesses and strengths. It has worked a treat because we have similar likes — country and western, rock and roll . . . and Man City!'

Summer seasons were spent together in the theatre at night with their families joining them on the beach during the day.

Syd says despite their success they have both kept their feet firmly on the floor.

'Always be kind to people on the way up because you will meet them on the way down. We have done that. We have never been temperamental. We have just got on with our lives.'

Privately it has not all been plain sailing. Syd lost a son through drug addiction and his daughter was badly stabbed. The events were splashed across the national press.

But despite the pain it is a subject he does not shy away from.

'There is no point having skeletons in the cupboard. I'm open about it because everyone knows about it.

'I'm amazed how many people come up with stories of their own children that have drug problems. If by talking about it one person can be helped then it is worth it,' he says.

'It can happen to anyone. Because you are in showbiz doesn't mean you are immune to it.'

If Syd could have one career wish it would be a role in Coronation Street. He even knows the part he'd choose.

'I'd like to be Curley's dad. We have a lot in common — we're both Man City fans. He is into astronomy — and so am I.'

Syd is 60 in December but has no plans to retire.

'I love showbiz. It's littered with people who don't retire. Why should they? Eddie and I will keep going. I like people. I couldn't become a recluse,' he says.

'The time to come off stage is when people stop asking you to come on. You get the message then.

'But if you stop people doing what they enjoy what will they do? They will vegetate.'

l Syd Little and Frank Williams will present their evening of good music, great laughter and gripping conversation at the Wharf on June 22 at 8pm. Box office: (01822) 611166.