Tottenham boy Leslie Phillips dies aged 98

The actor was best known for his roles in the Carry On films
By Haringey Community Press

Leslie Phillips at the BAFTAs in 2007 (credit: Caroline Bonarde Ucci)

Actor and former Tottenham local Leslie Phillips has died at the age of 98.

Leslie was best known for appearing in Carry On films and voicing the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films.

He was born on 20th April 1924 in Tottenham before moving to Chingford with his family at the age of seven. His parents, Cecelia Margaret (née Newlove) and Frederick Samuel Phillips, worked at Glover and Main, a manufacturer of cookers in Edmonton.

Leslie grew up speaking Estuary English and attended what is now known as Larkswood Primary School. He officially reopened the school after it was rebuilt in 2007. He then went onto study at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy, where he studied drama, dance and elocution in an effort to oust his cockney accent.

Leslie’s agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed the star died peacefully in his sleep on Monday after a long illness.

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