The Daily Star Ireland
Tributes have been flooding in from fans, friends, and the cast of Rivals following the death of celebrated British author Jilly Cooper, who passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning after a fall. The beloved writer, known for her glamorous and witty “bonkbuster” novels such as Riders, Rivals, and Polo, was 87.
Cast of Rivals Pays Heartfelt Tribute
The stars of the Disney+ adaptation of Rivals, based on Cooper’s best-selling novel, expressed their grief and admiration for the late author.
Alex Hassell, who portrays Rupert Campbell-Black — one of Cooper’s most iconic characters — shared a photo of himself with the author on Instagram, calling her a “magical woman” who profoundly impacted his life.
“Beyond the great joy, comfort, and excitement her writing has brought to so many, she was such a generous, kind person to be around,” he wrote. “She supported me every step of the way in bringing Rupert to life. The last thing she said to me on set was that she was proud of me. Gorgeous and caring to the last. She will be greatly missed.”
His co-star Emily Atack, who plays Sarah Stratton in the series, also shared an emotional post. “I’ll never forget the first time we met,” she wrote. “Your warmth and kindness soared through me with that first hug, and every hug since. To be taken into your world was an honour and a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. Thank you for letting us into Jilly World — there really is no place like it.”
Meanwhile, Victoria Smurfit, who stars as Maud O’Hara, described Cooper as “human sunshine.” In her tribute, she wrote, “Our divine Queen has gone to the sky. Jilly was everything that was good about being a person — Paddington Bear with a naughty twinkle. Her words will live forever, but the way she made you feel was even more extraordinary.”
Industry Colleagues and Producers Remember Her Legacy
The executive producers of Rivals, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alex Lamb, said they were “broken-hearted” by the news. “Jilly was and always will be one of the world’s greatest storytellers. It has been an incredible honour to bring her work to television,” they said.
Other members of the Rivals team, including Danny Dyer and Gary Lamont, also expressed their sorrow on social media. Lamont commented, “There is nothing like a Dame. It was a privilege to have been in her orbit.”
Disney+ UK honoured Cooper as a “true trailblazer in British literature,” while Penguin Books UK, her long-time publisher, praised her as “an inspiration to generations of women and writers.”
Remembering a Literary Trailblazer
Jilly Cooper’s influence extended far beyond her books. Known for her sharp wit, warmth, and portrayal of love, class, and scandal among Britain’s upper class, she became a defining voice of British popular fiction. Her works, including Mount!, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, and her final novel Tackle!, captured both the glamour and absurdity of high society with affection and humour.
Author Kathy Lette paid tribute to her on X, describing Cooper as “a Jane Austen in jodhpurs.” She wrote, “A twinkle has gone out of the world. Beneath the mischief, she was searingly insightful on class, sexism, motherhood, and marriage — a loving and loyal friend who will be joyously remembered.”
Other tributes poured in from public figures such as Kirstie Allsopp, Helen Lederer, Simon Sebag Montefiore, and Gyles Brandreth, who called Cooper “a powerhouse of positivity.”
Family and Friends Reflect on Her Life
Cooper’s children, Felix and Emily, released a joint statement describing their mother as “the shining light in all of our lives.” They said, “Her love for her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved and can’t imagine life without her infectious laughter.”
Her literary agent, Felicity Blunt, described working with Cooper as “the privilege of my career,” adding that the author had “defined culture, writing, and conversation since she was first published over 50 years ago.”
According to the family, her funeral will be private, but a public service of thanksgiving will be held in the coming months at Southwark Cathedral to celebrate her remarkable life and career. Details of the service will be announced at a later date.
