Veteran actor Leslie Phillips, known for his iconic role as the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter franchise, has died aged 98 after a long battle with illness.
The actor's death on Monday has ended the star's eight decades working in show business, reports the Scottish Sun. Leslie was best known for his 'Ding Dong', 'Well, Hello', and 'I Say' catchphrases in the 'Carry On' films.
Paying tribute, his wife Zara, 63, said: “I've lost a wonderful husband and the public has lost a truly great showman.
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"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."
Leslie starred in over 200 films, TV shows and radio series across the span of his glittering career. For 17 years in total, he starred in hit BBC radio show 'The Navy Lark', alongside Ronnie Barker and Jon Pertwee.
He also was a fan of the theatre, starring as a Shakespearian actor around the world. His death – nearly two years after Barbara Windsor passed away – leaves Jim Dale, 86, as the last surviving regular from the Carry On films.
Leslie joined the Carry On cast after giving up a Hollywood career to be with wife, Penny Bartley and their four children who were back in England.
He later revealed he loved being "idolised" by the public, he wished people would "look beyond the lecherous twit I played". The Queen honoured Leslie Phillips with an OBE in 1998 and ten years later a made him a CBE for services to showbiz.
We honour Leslie on a fantastic career, and send our thoughts to his family following the sad news.
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