Actors Danny Dyer and Victoria Smurfit, known for their roles in the TV series ‘Rivals’, were among those honoring author Jilly Cooper after her passing at 88 years old.
The author of the book that the popular Disney+ series is based on passed away on Monday after a fall, her family shared.
Danny, the actor who played Freddie Jones, shared a tribute to Jilly from Happy Prince TV after she passed away.
Victoria, the actress who portrayed Maud O’Hara, posted a photo of Jilly on Instagram and affectionately called her a ‘divine Queen’ in a heartfelt message.
She announced the passing of their beloved Queen with a heartfelt message. She wrote that while her words will always be remembered, it was the warmth and joy she brought to everyone she met that will be most cherished. Jilly, she said, embodied all that is good in people.
Thinking of Paddington and sending love to Jilly’s wonderful family and friends. We’ll deeply miss this incredible woman. #jilly #rivals #rip
Jilly Cooper, known as the ‘Queen of the bonkbuster’, was a popular author of steamy romance novels, selling over 12 million copies throughout her career.
Her children Felix and Emily said her death on Sunday morning has come as a ‘complete shock’.
They said in a statement: ‘Mum was the shining light in all of our lives.
I’ll never forget how much she loved everyone – her family and friends meant the world to her. It’s been such a shock to lose her so suddenly; none of us were prepared.
We’re deeply proud of all she accomplished and will miss her incredibly. Her joyful smile and laughter will be forever remembered.
Jilly Cooper’s agent, Felicity Blunt, also shared a heartfelt message, stating that the author had a significant impact on how people thought, wrote, and talked throughout her life.
The author was most famous for her Rutshire Chronicles series, which centered around the charismatic showjumper, Rupert Campbell-Black.
Rivals, perhaps the most famous of the series, was recently adapted for television by Disney+.
The novelist lost her husband, Leo Cooper, to Parkinson’s disease in 2013.
She had been friends with him since childhood and was determined to care for him herself, even as his health declined.
Dame Jilly revealed she started writing novels again later in life to cover her husband’s healthcare costs.
Ms. Blunt shared that the greatest part of her career has been collaborating with a remarkable woman who has profoundly shaped culture, writing, and dialogue for more than fifty years.
Jilly is most famous for her incredibly popular Rutshire Chronicles book series, particularly its captivating and dashing hero, Rupert Campbell-Black, a skilled show jumper who causes quite a stir.
It’s surprising that books known for their sensationalism have remained popular for so long, but Jilly Cooper wrote with remarkable understanding and sensitivity about complex topics like social class, relationships, loss, and the challenges of having children.
‘Her plots were both intricate and gutsy, spiked with sharp observations and wicked humour.
She often drew on her personal experiences for ideas, and her insightful observations about society – its biases and expectations – had a quality reminiscent of Jane Austen.
‘But if you tried to pay her this compliment, or any compliment, she would brush it aside.
She wrote, she explained, all to contribute to the overall happiness of people. As a writer, she was – and still is – unmatched in this goal.
Jilly Cooper, known for her emotional intelligence, incredible generosity, keen observations, and lively spirit, will be greatly missed by everyone at Curtis Brown and those who worked with her on Rivals.
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend, someone I could always count on for support, honest advice, and guidance. Though she’s gone, her writing will continue to inspire and live on.
Dame Jilly was born in 1937 in Hornchurch, Essex, but spent her childhood in Yorkshire. She received her education at the Godolphin School, a private school in Salisbury.
Her father was a military leader, and her family relocated to London in the 1950s. At age 20, she began her career as a journalist at The Middlesex Independent newspaper.
She transitioned to a career in public relations, but was fired from twenty-two different positions before finally finding work in the book publishing industry.
I’ve been a fan for years, and it’s been amazing to see her stories come to life in different ways! I especially loved the ITV series they made of ‘The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous’ – seeing Stephen Billington from ‘Coronation Street’ and Hugh Bonneville from ‘Downton Abbey’ in it was a real treat. And back in the nineties, there was a fantastic ‘Riders’ series with Marcus Gilbert – I remember being completely hooked!
In 2019, she received a lifetime achievement award from Comedy Women in Print. Then, in 2024, she was honored with a damehood for her contributions to both literature and charitable work.
A new book by Dame Jilly is due to be published through Transworld in November.
“How To Survive Christmas” is a funny and honest guide to getting through the holidays.
Bill Scott-Kerr, Jilly Cooper’s publisher, shared that working with her for the last three decades has been a true pleasure and a highlight of his career.
I’ve always admired her, not just for her incredible writing, but for who she was as a person.
We remember her for her warmth, friendship, and infectious joy, as well as her inquisitive spirit, bravery, and deep affection for animals.
‘Jilly may have worn her influence lightly but she was a true trailblazer.
‘As a journalist she went where others feared to tread and as a novelist she did likewise.
She was a brilliant storyteller who expertly exposed the flaws and often negative behaviors of England’s upper middle class. Her insightful writing and sharply drawn characters cut right to the heart of the matter with remarkable precision.
Her debut novel, Riders, a story set in Rutshire, truly revolutionized popular fiction.
Full of playful humor and pure enjoyment, this novel—and the ten Rutshire books that came after it—encouraged a generation of women, both writers and others, to be honest and authentic in their storytelling. It also introduced characters who became iconic and continue to resonate with readers today.
He shared that the absence of a new Jilly Cooper book will make the publishing world a lot less vibrant, and that her talent and friendship will be deeply missed.
Dame Jilly’s funeral will be private in line with her wishes, according to her agent.
I’m so pleased to hear that a special service of thanksgiving will be held at Southwark Cathedral to honor her life. They’ll be sharing more details about when it will happen soon, and I’m already looking forward to celebrating everything she achieved.
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2025-10-06 13:35