Cast members from the hit Disney+ series Rivals have paid heartfelt tributes to Dame Jilly Cooper following her unexpected death. The beloved author died on Sunday morning after a fall, leaving behind a legacy of bestselling "bonkbusters" including Riders, Rivals and Polo.
Alex Hassell, who portrays Rupert Campbell-Black in the adaptation, shared a touching Instagram post describing Dame Jilly as a "magical woman" who changed his life. He wrote: "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."
The actor revealed that Dame Jilly had visited the set recently and expressed pride in his portrayal of her beloved character. "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," Hassell continued.
Co-stars remember warmth and kindness
Emily Atack, who plays Sarah Stratton in the series, also shared emotional memories on Instagram. "I'll never forget the first time we met. Your warmth and kindness soared through me with that first hug, and then every hug since," she wrote.
Atack described being welcomed into Dame Jilly's world as "the hugest honour and a once in a life time privilege". She added: "I cannot begin to explain how much we will miss you. Thank you for letting us into Jilly World, there really is no place like it."
Victoria Smurfit, known for playing Maud O'Hara, paid tribute to "our divine Queen" who had "gone to the sky". She described Dame Jilly as "human sunshine" and said: "Jilly was everything that was good about being a person. Paddington bear with a naughty twinkle."
Production team expresses heartbreak
The executive producers of the Disney+ adaptation, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alex Lamb, said they are "broken-hearted" by the news. "Jilly was and always will be one of the world's greatest storytellers, and it has been the most incredible honour to have been able to work with her to adapt her incredible novels for television," they stated.
Danny Dyer, who portrays businessman Freddie Jones in the series, also commented on tribute posts. Gary Lamont wrote: "There is nothing like a Dame. A privilege to have been in her orbit."
Disney+ UK described Dame Jilly as a "true trailblazer in British literature" whilst Penguin Books UK called her an "inspiration to a generation of women, writers and more". The publisher has been behind many of her bestselling novels throughout her career.
Industry figures pay respects
Dame Joanna Lumley, who starred in Dame Jilly's 1970s sitcom It's Awfully Bad for Your Eyes, Darling, told BBC News: "She was entirely generous, hugely talented, prolific, enthusiastic, meticulous and wholly loveable: a darling friend and a brilliant person." She added: "She will be missed and mourned by millions, not least by me. I adored her."
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, comedian Helen Lederer, historian Simon Montefiore and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth also paid tribute. Brandreth described her as a "powerhouse of positivity".
Author Jill Mansell credited Dame Jilly for inspiring her career, saying: "Pretty sure I would never have become a published novelist if it weren't for Jilly Cooper, whose brilliant works inspired me to want to write and brought endless happiness to millions of readers. She was completely fabulous."
Authors inspired by legacy
Australian-British author Kathy Lette reflected on Dame Jilly's impact, saying: "A twinkle has gone out of the world." She praised her as "searingly insightful on class, sexism, motherhood & marriage; a Jane Austen in jodhpurs".
Dame Jilly was renowned for her steamy fiction focusing on scandal and adultery in upper class society. Her hit titles included Mount!, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, and her most recent work Tackle!
Family statement and arrangements
Her children Felix and Emily said in a statement: "Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock."
Dame Jilly's agent Felicity Blunt described working with her as "the privilege of her career". She praised a woman who has "defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over 50 years ago".
The family announced that Dame Jilly's funeral will be private. A public service of thanksgiving will be held in the coming months at Southwark Cathedral to celebrate her life, with details to be announced in due course.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
