Film and TV icon Leslie Phillips has died at the age of 98, his agent has sadly confirmed.
The legendary actor was beloved by many for his star turns in more than 200 movies, TV and radio series, including playing the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films. He is perhaps best known for starring in the Carry On film series, including Carry On Nurse and Carry On Constable, in which he became famous for his catchphrases 'Ding dong', 'Well hello', and 'I say'.
Leslie's agent Jonathan Lloyd said that the actor had died 'peacefully in his sleep' on Monday following a long illness, after previously having survived two strokes just six months apart when he was 90 years old. In a touching tribute following his death, Leslie's wife Zara Carr, 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," she added. "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."
In an incredible career spanning over eight decades, the veteran actor also starred in the Doctor in the House film series as well as long-running BBC radio comedy series The Navy Lark alongside Ronnie Barker and Jon Pertwee. An accomplished Shakespearian actor, Leslie first appeared on the West End stage at the age of just 14.
Phillips was nominated for a BAFTA in 2006 for his role alongside Peter O'Toole in the film Venus. The Tottenham-born star, who was a father to four children, also fought in World War II from 1943 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal artillery.
Following news of Leslie's death, tributes flooded in from fans and colleagues of the legendary actor. Actor and The Kumars at No. 42 star Sanjeev Bhaskar said that Phillips "couldn't have been more of a gent", calling him "a truly warm, fully and gentle man".
Celebrity astrologer Russell Grant added: "This lovely, lovely man, Leslie Phillips, has passed over. I worked with him so many times and on so many TV sofas. Funny, charming, courteous, friendly and warm he was a one-off. Another face we know and love has left us: there’s no-one who can ever take Leslie’s place."
"The wonderful Leslie Phillips CBE has left us," EastEnders actor Stuart Antony wrote on Twitter. "A true gentleman, fantastic actor and the nicest man I’ve ever met. His stories were the best."
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