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Is Rupert Campbell-Black based on a real person? Who inspired the Rivals character?

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As a seasoned gamer of life and literature, I must say that Rupert Campbell-Black‘s grand entrance into our screens through the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s “Rivals” for Disney+ has sent my heart racing like a wild thoroughbred at the Derby! Alex Hassell’s portrayal of this iconic character is nothing short of a masterpiece, capturing the essence of a man who is as dashing as he is debonair.

Women across the nation are thrilled as the charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black makes his screen debut in Disney+’s adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s “Rivals”.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always admired the iconic character brought to life by Alex Hassell – none other than the legendary Rupert Edward Algernon Campbell-Black, whose gaming prowess is the stuff of legends!

Hassell told Digital Spy in an exclusive interview ahead of the show’s release that he found taking on the sexed-up mantle of Mr Campbell-Black a “nerve-wracking” prospect.

He continued by expressing that Cooper’s support brought him comfort, as he shared: “She showed immense support right away, which proved incredibly beneficial.

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that embodying a cherished character across numerous novels carried quite a weight, as her approval meant everything to me. Yet, her enthusiasm and exuberance over the series have been overwhelmingly positive, which undeniably boosts my confidence.

Is Rupert Campbell-Black based on a real person? Who inspired the Rivals character?

In Campbell-Black’s role, he served as the Sports Minister under Margaret Thatcher’s administration. However, outside of his official duties, he is known for his lively social life in Rutshire. His days are filled with socializing with women, playing tennis without clothes, and engaging in horseback pursuits of various animals.

Although Campbell-Black appears quite real, it’s important to note that he is actually a figment of Cooper’s imagination, introduced in her novel “Riders,” where he’s depicted as pursuing the Olympic showjumping gold.

In the sequel titled “Rivals“, he has stepped away from sports and now finds himself in the ruthlessly competitive and cunning political landscape.

Initially, Royal Challengers Bangalore almost didn’t feature in the “Rivals” universe, as Cooper had initially planned not to include them in the cast for her second book set in the Rutshire Chronicles.

At first, I planned to exclude Rupert, my flamboyant character, as he was portrayed as harsh towards women and his horses in the book Riders. However, I found myself yearning for his charm and wit.

Later on, he placed him as the main character in the book, ensuring his captivating presence remained deeply felt by numerous readers.

Is Rupert Campbell-Black based on a real person? Who inspired the Rivals character?

Cooper has mentioned that although RCB is a character born from her creativity, she did receive assistance from some real-life friends to bring the character to life on the page. She acknowledges these three gentlemen as her inspirations for the Campbell-Black characters: Andrew Parker-Bowles, who was once married to Queen Camilla; David Somerset, the 11th Duke of Beaufort; and the late ‘Mickey’ Suffolk, the 21st Earl of Suffolk.

Cooper had described them as an incredibly bold and captivating ensemble to The Telegraph back in 2002. He noted that their courage and charm were crucial aspects shaping the character of Rupert.

Additionally, throughout the years, several other figures have emerged as sources of inspiration, such as Rupert Lycett Green – a tailor and fashion designer hailing from London.

Cooper clarified that it wasn’t due to Rupert’s mischievous actions but rather the captivating appeal and allure of these individuals.

I myself shared some bubbly with Hassel and a few of my Campbell-Black muses, who were also in attendance, at one of my rural soirees to celebrate the launch of our new series, as I told MailOnline.

Rivals is available to stream on Disney+ from October 18.

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2024-10-18 11:48

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