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Veteran actor Leslie Phillips has died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ aged 98

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th November 2022

Veteran British actor Leslie Phillips has died at the age of 98.

The London-born star of the screen and stage has enjoyed a long and varied career in entertainment that dates right back to 1938, and is most well-known to audiences nationwide for his roles in several Carry On films, as well as being the instantly-recognisable voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter film franchise.

The celebrated actor also has credits in several other TV series such as Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, Monarch Of The Glen and Holby City.

Other films he has had roles in include Empire Of The Sun, Scandal, and Out Of Africa.

Thanks to his roles in the Carry On film series, Phillips became well-known for his suggestive catchphrases such as “Ding Dong”, “Well, hello”, and “I Say!”.

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Leslie Phillips has died aged 98 / Credit: Carry On

Aside from starring in Carry On films – including Carry On Teacher, Carry On Columbus, Carry On Constable, and Carry On Nurse – of the highlights in his illustrious, several decade-spanning career was when he appeared in Hanif Kureshi’s film Venus alongside the late Peter O’Toole.

He was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his critically-acclaimed performance.

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Phillips was made an OBE in the 1998 Birthday Honours, and was promoted to CBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

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But, his agent Jonathan Lloyd has today confirmed that the star has passed away, and died “peacefully in his sleep” on Monday.

Tributes have since been pouring in on social media.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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