Dame Jilly Cooper, who was known for her “bonkbusters” including Riders, Rivals and Polo, died on Sunday after a fall at her home – and tributes have been paid to the author
Dame Jilly Cooper has been lauded as “truly one of the kindest women” today.
Poignant tributes continue to flood in for the 88-year-old author, known for her “bonkbusters” including Riders, Rivals and Polo, following her death on Sunday morning following a fall at her home. Some of the cast members of the hit Disney+ series Rivals, based on the book of the same name, have since shared posts in memory of the late writer.
But one of the latest respects today – from experienced tabloid journalist Sarah Vine – described the novelist as generous, humble and warm. Sarah, who was 16 when Riders was published in 1985, wrote: “She (Dame Jilly) was truly one of the kindest women I’ve ever known. The world is a far less fabulous place without her.”
Dame Jilly’s children Felix and Emily issued a statement yesterday to confirm the tragic news, calling their mother “the shining light in all of our lives”. The statement added: “Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
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Writing for the Daily Mail, Sarah described how Dame Jilly, born in Hornchurch, Essex, sent her a gold and amethyst brooch in the post, an anecdote Sarah used as her “‘generous’ Jilly story” following similar tales from other friends and acquaintance after news of the death emerged.
Sarah continued: “Dame Jilly wore her talent and success lightly, and was never – even when she might have had every right to be – a diva. She was invariably polite, patient and generous to a fault. She had a knack for making everyone around her feel loved and just radiated positivity and warmth.
“Her audience was the legions of wives and mothers weighed down by responsibility, for whom the passing fantasy of the ‘improper use of a hayloft’ in the company of a Rupert Campbell-Black-type made it all more bearable.”
Mother-of-two Sarah, now a regular columnist, penned her tribute in a poignant piece following Dame Jilly’s passing, which rocked cast members of Rivals. Alex Hassell, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black in the show, posted a photo of the two together on his Instagram page, describing Dame Jilly as a “magical woman” who changed his life.
He said: “Quite aside from the great wealth of joy, comfort and excitement her writing has given so many, she was such a generous spirited person to be around.
“She was so kind and supportive to me in portraying her hero Rupert. I’m so pleased I got to see her on set the other day, and pretty much the last things she said to me was that she was proud of me. Gorgeous and caring to the last.
“She shall be greatly missed. We will continue to do our utmost to honour her. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this difficult time.”