John Mills leaves hospital

John Mills has been discharged after a short stay in hospital.

The Oscar-winning 94-year-old praised staff at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness after a stay of more than a week while he was treated for a chest infection.

Mr Mills chatted and had his picture taken with well-wishers when he left the hospital.

He told the Press and Journal newspaper: "I would like to publicly thank everyone at the hospital.

"They have been fantastic - all the staff, all the nurses, everyone."

Mr Mills received notes from well-wishers including Judi Dench, who sent flowers, while director Richard Attenborough phoned daily, and comedian Stephen Fry kept in touch.

And Mills, who stayed at a private ward at the hospital, joked: "They always tell you that hospital food is not very good, but here it has been excellent."

He was taken ill within a few hours of arriving at the exclusive Skibo Castle in Sutherland.

He was expected to stay at the parents of his assistant Patricia Horrocks in Caithness and will then return to Skibo Castle for a few days before returning home to Denham in Buckinghamshire.

He said he felt fit and well to be leaving the hospital.