He was born in Berlin, a grandson of Sigmund Freud and brother of Lucian Freud.

He was already a celebrity before he went into politics, and was a well-known face from dog food adverts, in which he co-starred with a bloodhound who shared his "hangdog" expression.

He was Liberal MP for the Isle of Ely (later North-East Cambridgeshire) from 1973 to 1987. His departure from Parliament was marked by a knighthood.

During the Second World War he was an aide to Field Marshal Montgomery.