Trivia

Worked on the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark with other famous British comic actors Jon Pertwee and Ronnie Barker.

At age 18, he was called up for army service in the Royal Artillery and soon made a Lance Bombardier and sent for officer training becoming a 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. A great deal of training with live ammunition caused him to suffer from a form of shell shock and after various light duties he was demobbed in the Autumn of 1944.

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

Suffered a stroke in 2014.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2008 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to drama.

His association with the catchphrase "Ding dong," said whenever he saw an attractive women, first started when he played Jack Bell in Carry on Nurse (1959).

When age 14, he appeared in Otello and Turandot at Covent Garden.

Friends with actors Denholm Elliott and Jon Pertwee for many years, both of whom, like Phillips, had homes in Ibiza.

Considers Carry on Nurse (1959) to be his funniest film.

Took over the role of the King of Spain in Carry on Columbus (1992) after the death of Frankie Howerd, who'd been due to play the part.

Between 12 June 2017 (the death of Sam Beazley) and his death on 7 November 2022, he was the oldest living actor from the original Harry Potter franchise.

Made his professional stage debut in 1937 at the London Palladium in 1937 as a wolf in Peter Pan starring Anna Neagle.

He and Bob Monkhouse swapped roles in A Weekend with Lulu (1961).

In 1936 his mother saw an advert in a paper for children required for a christmas show for Miss Italia Conti with whom he spent a few years at her stage school.

His favourite actor is Kenneth Connor.

He and Bob Monkhouse switched roles in the film Weekend With Lulu.

He was contracted for The Birthday Present then MGM wanted him for Les Girls and bought his contract out causing Jack Watling to be cast in The Birthday Present.

Came from a working class back ground.

He was in show business from 1936.

Came from a working class Cockney back ground,.

David Jason considers him a legend of British comedy.

Supports Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

Father, with Penelope Bartley, of daughters Caroline Phillips and Claudia Phillips, and sons Roger Phillips and Andrew Phillips.

He is a long-term fan of Tottenham Hotspur, and made an appearance on the pitch as part of the half-time entertainment during the team's home match against Swansea City on 1 April 2012.

He was supposed to play Terence Longdon's role in Carry on Regardless (1961). However, he withdrew due to fears of typecasting, and the part was drastically cut, before being recast.

Son of Frederick Samuel (1890-1935) and Cecilia Margaret (née Newlove) Phillips (1891-1984).

After his first marriage ended and before he met his second wife, he had a long relationship with Caroline Mortimer, daughter of John Mortimer and Penny Mortimer.

A short film titled Zabaglione is listed in a number of references as being made as a short in 1966 and featuring the voice of Leslie but nothing else,.

Has older brother, Fred and sister, Dorothy.

Son of Frederick and Cecelia.

London W9, England (December 2007)

Appeared (usually uncredited) as a child extra in several 1930s British movies, most notably in The Four Feathers (1939).

Attended the memorial service for actor and comedian Jon Pertwee at St Paul's, Covent Garden.