Tributes have been paid after actor Leslie Phillips has died after battling illness at the age of 98.
He starred in numerous films and TV shows including Harry Potter where he voiced the "sorting hat", Carry On films and appeared with Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider film.
The much-loved veteran actor's sad death was confirmed on Tuesday. Leslie passed away on Monday following a long battle with illness after he previously survived two strokes.
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Paying tribute, his wife Zara, 63, said: "I've lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman.
"He was quite simply a national treasure. People loved him. He was mobbed everywhere he went. When we married he cheekily introduced me to the Press as royalty, insisting I was the new Zara Phillips and that I was related to the Queen."
Other tributes have poured in. Actor Stuart Antony said: "The wonderful Leslie Phillips CBE has left us. Aged 98. A true gentleman, fantastic actor and the nicest man I've ever met. His stories were the best.. RIP Leslie Phillips."
The acting veteran rose to prominence in the 50s playing smooth, upper-class comedy roles, and made the phrases "Ding Dong" and "He-llo" popular. He remained busy on stage and TV production across the 80s, including film roles in Empire of the Sun and Scandal.
The dad-of-four was given an OBE and 1998 and a CBE and 2008. In his later years , he helped produce the Sky Arts series Living The Life.
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