Rivals author Jilly Cooper weighs in on intimacy coordinators after Danny Dyer says new series has so many sex scenes it ‘hired every coach in the UK’

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In a recent turn of events, competitor author Jilly Cooper shared her thoughts on the use of intimacy coordinators in the Disney+ series, following remarks by Danny Dyer.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement over the scoop I’ve heard about Rivals 2! This upcoming series, now in production, promises to be a steamy ride with an unprecedented amount of romantic entanglements that have led them to recruit every intimacy coach available in the UK. Can’t wait to see it all unfold on-screen!

But Jilly – who wrote the 1988 novel – is bemused by the growth of the on-set sex-scene coach.

She shared with The Times, “During my time, actors would simply interact by leaping onto one another and tumbling about, all without any direction or instruction.

‘I suppose the world’s changed, hasn’t it?’

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If Jilly had been an actress instead of an author, she mentioned that she wouldn’t have felt at ease with someone arranging her intimate scenes on set.

She stated: “I would feel quite ashamed. Frankly, I wouldn’t enjoy it myself, but it seems like everyone’s stopped having a good time these days, doesn’t it?

Her remarks followed Danny’s statement about an excessive amount of intimacy in Rivals 2, a show now being filmed, for which they have recruited all the intimacy coaches available in the United Kingdom.

Actor Dyer, portraying Freddie Jones in the series, alongside David Tennant, Emily Atack, and Alex Hassell, commented: “For Rivals, we’re shooting a total of 12 episodes and will continue filming until next March.

‘It is brilliant but it is a mad thing to do a sex scene.

Reflect upon this: as part of your professional duties, you may find yourself in situations where kissing someone else is acceptable. However, this depends entirely on your partner and their feelings about it. If the idea appeals to you, then I must be honest – it’s perfectly okay.

He commented: ‘Many intimacy coaches can be found among our rivals. It seems as though we’ve utilized all the intimacy coaches available across the nation.’

In the highly popular Disney+ series adapted from Jilly’s book, Aidan Turner portrays Freddie Jones, a self-made entrepreneur, while Alex Hassell takes on the role of Rupert Campbell-Black. Notably, Declan O’Hara, played by Aidan Turner, is also part of their business partnership.

In the series, character Jones develops feelings for romance novelist Lizzie Vereker, portrayed by Katherine Parkinson. Originally consisting of eight episodes, there’s a request from Disney+ for additional installments in this new season.

The portrayal of Jones by Dyer has been praised for adding warmth to the lighthearted, juicy series, causing many to reconsider his acting abilities after years in EastEnders.

Last month, he received a BAFTA for his role in “Mr. Bigstuff”. He shared with Esquire magazine: ‘My portrayal in “Rivals” allowed people to see me in a fresh perspective, and this was followed closely by “Mr. Bigstuff”, which showcases my versatility because Lee is unlike Freddie.’

Over the course of my journey, I’ve learned the hard way that not every opportunity knocks with good intentions. I’ve taken on more projects than I should have, often swayed by the allure of financial security. With children attending expensive private institutions, the pressure to earn was immense. Yet, in retrospect, I realize these choices were perhaps a reflection of my eagerness rather than my wisdom.

Currently, I find myself in a position with numerous opportunities at my disposal, allowing me to decline those that don’t align with my interests. I believe my identity will be shaped by the choices I make in declining these options, and that makes this an exhilarating time for me.

At the BAFTAs, upon receiving the award for Best Male Performance in a Comedy, he exclaimed: “What a stroke of luck! A comedy performance. I believed my acting was so poor it was amusing. I’d like to express gratitude to Sky for taking a chance on our show. Goodness gracious, I’m overwhelmed.

I’d like to dedicate this to Ryan Sampson, who goes by Mr. Bigstuff, a remarkable individual hailing from Rotherham. It’s not meant as an insult to the town, but let’s just say there aren’t many things that can compare to him.

He’s one of the greatest actors our country has ever seen. He never repeats himself, and that’s something I can’t say about many others. Interestingly, he wrote this role specifically for me, which is making me emotional again.” (Expletive removed)

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2025-06-13 03:51