Carry On star Leslie Phillips has died at the age of 98 “peacefully in his sleep” on Monday according his agent.
The veteran actor died “peacefully in his sleep” on Monday, his agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed to the PA news agency.
Leslie spent eight decades in the spotlight and was best known for his roles in the Carry On films, where he became famed for his suggestive catchphrases which included “Ding Dong”, “Well, hello” and “I Say!”.
His death leaves Jim Dale, 86, the last surviving regular from the Carry On films.
Speaking about Leslie’s death, his wife Zara, 63, said (via The Sun): “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 jokingly introduced me to the press as royalty, stating that I was the new Zara Phillips and linked to the Queen.”
Leslie was also recognized for his later, more dramatic performances, notably a Bafta-nominated performance alongside Peter O’Toole in Venus in 2006.
A new generation also recognized us as the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter movie.
Leslie had a stroke in 2014 while shopping on London’s Oxford Street, but she recovered quickly and returned home after a hospital stay.
In the 1998 Birthday Honours, he received an OBE, and in the 2008 New Year Honours, he received a CBE.