Carry On legend's widow 'refuses to leave home in plea after bailiff threat'

Carry On star Leslie Phillips' widow is reportedly being ordered to leave the home they shared throughout their married life. Zara Phillips, who tied the knot with Leslie in 2013, has claimed she's been warned by lawyers that if she does not vacate by August 7, they will go to court but the 69-year-old has insisted, "I'm not going" in a candid new interview. Famed for his leery, roguish, upper-class roles, Leslie was beloved by millions and known for his "Ding Dong", "Well, Hello" and "I Say" catchphrases. He also voiced The Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films. In 2014 Leslie suffered a stroke, and Zara quit work and looked after him until his death in November 2022. It has been said Leslie's will was updated two years earlier and reportedly claimed Zara would have to leave their five-bed property. The proceeds of the sale would be put into a trust fund to be divided between her and Leslie's two sons and two daughters from his first marriage to actress Penelope Bartley, according to reports. However, his third wife has claimed the first will had Zara, who was 36 years his junior, to stay in his £4million West London home for the rest of her life.

Zara has told The Sun: "Where would I go? I am in ill-health, old and frail, not well enough to move and I am still grieving. Leslie would not have wanted me to be thrown onto the street. I had known him for nearly 30 years. They told me that if I do go to court, they will deduct the money from my inheritance. The court can bring the bailiffs to throw me out but I won't go."

The actor's estate is reportedly valued at over £5million, including the house, which he bought in the 1960s at the height of his fame.

A spokesman for the executors of Leslie's will told the publication: "I confirm that the administration of Leslie Phillips' estate is ongoing in accordance with a Will approved by the Court of Protection.

"It would not be appropriate for me to comment further for reasons of confidentiality."

Away from the screen, Leslie suffered devastating tragedies which included the tragic loss of his first two wives.

His first wife Penny Bartley was killed in a house fire in 1981.

And then in 2011 he was rocked by the suicide of his second wife, the former Bond girl Angela Scoular. She was suffering from bowel cancer and depression.

He found love again with Zara, who he married at age 89 in front of two witnesses in Mayfair in 2013.

His acting career stretched back to 1938 and spanned more than 70 years. He was best known in the UK for his Carry On parts even though he only appeared in three of the films.