Veteran English comic actor Leslie Phillips, famous for his roles in Carry On series of films, and the voice of Harry Potter's Sorting Hat died after a prolonged illness.

The 98-year-old actor's death was confirmed by his agent, Jonathan Lloyd, who said that he had died "peacefully in his sleep". He had previously survived two strokes.

Phillips has starred in more than 200 films as well as TV and radio series in his career spanning over eight decades.

Apart from his work in the Carry On films, Phillips has also starred in Doctor in the House, Tomb Raider and Midsommer Murders.

It was reported that the actor also fought in World War II from 1943 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

The actor first appeared on the West End stage at the age of 14. In a tribute after his death, Philips's wife Zara Carr, 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."

In a befitting memory of a man who made people laugh, Carr 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."