Leslie's best known role is as Jack Walker, genial landlord of the Rovers Return Inn in television soap Coronation Street.
The Walkers were extremely popular characters, and both Leslie and Speed were much liked and respected by fellow cast members.
On 30 June 1970, six days after his last appearance on Coronation Street, Leslie died suddenly of a heart attack whilst on holiday in Cardigan, Wales.
Out of respect for Leslie's family, Jack's funeral took place off-screen, and his death (unlike those of future characters who were written out for the same reason) was presented as a known fact to the main characters from the beginning of the episode broadcast on 8 July 1970, and did not dominate the storyline.
He was survived by his wife of 45 years, Betty Powell, and their son, actor Tony Broughton, who would go on to appear in several episodes of Coronation Street.