Actor Leslie Phillips receives CBE

Veteran actor Leslie Phillips has collected a CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The 84-year-old, best known for his lecherous catchphrases "Hellooo" and "Ding dong!", was honoured for services to drama.

He made his first stage appearance at the age of ten and has since starred in comedies such as the Carry On films, as well as Hollywood movies and Shakespeare plays.

Despite his upper class drawl, he was born in relative poverty in Tottenham, North London, and spoke in a cockney accent until he took elocution lessons at the Italia Conti Stage School.

Phillips, who received an OBE in 1998, said: "It's wonderful, I've been very lucky to have two awards - I've done a long term. I think I've got the longest term of any actor because I started when I was 10 so I've done more than 70 years and never been kissed.

"My father died early on and I was the youngest in the family, I was only nine. My brother and sister went to work quickly because we were short of money and went on the stage at the age of 10.

"I've done it all, I've done a lot radio, not so much television funnily enough, but a lot of theatre - as all good actors should do."

Children's author Jacqueline Wilson, 62, was made a Dame during the same ceremony.