Harry Potter star Leslie Phillips who voiced the Sorting Hat dies aged 98

He had starred in 150 films

Actor Leslie Phillips, best known for his roles in the Carry On films and as the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 98 after a long illness.

The actor - best known for his 'Ding Dong', 'Well, Hello' and 'I Say' catchphrases - had been battling a long illness following a life-threatening stroke in 2015. He had spent the last few years recovering at his home.

A rep for the star confirmed he died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Monday.

His passing brings down the curtain on a career in show business of more than eight decades, in which he starred in 150 films. 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."

Whilst older generations may know him best for his Carry On stardom, younger fans will recognise his voice from the Harry Potter films where he was the sound of the Sorting Hat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4K2F_OALPQ Phillips' passing comes just weeks after another star of the films, Robbie Coltrane passed away at the age of 72.

Over the course of his career, Phillips starred in over 200 movies and TV shows as well as radio programmes, including 17 years starring opposite Ronnie Barker and Jon Pertwee on BBC Radio show The Navy Lark.

Phillips made his acting debut on the West End at the age of just 14 and went on to star in various Shakespeare theatre productions around the world.

The actor appeared in four Carry On movies, including 1959’s Carry On Nurse and 1992’s Carry On Columbus.

He received two honours from the late Queen Elizabeth II, first an OBE in 1998 and then a CBE for services to showbiz a decade later.

Following his passing, and the death of Barbara Windsor almost two years ago, Jim Dale, 86, is now the last surviving regular from the Carry On films. Related links:

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