4 h. ago Jilly Cooper described as 'one of the kindest women' in emotional tribute

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

Politics

6 h. ago What I want at my funeral, by JILLY COOPER. The writer imagined it for us before her death

For my own funeral, I think I'd want to look quite tidy, wearing a bra and a trouser suit, because of my legs.

Events

6 h. ago SARAH VINE: Jilly Cooper was one of the kindest women I've ever known

First Patricia Routledge, now the great, incomparable Jilly Cooper. Two icons of British culture gone in the space of just a few short days.

Politics

6 h. ago In Jilly Cooper country, every man wanted to be in the saddle, and every woman was yearning for a good hard gallop, writes CHRISTOPHER STEVENS

Gap-toothed, with laughter lines around her eyes and a shaggy ash-blonde mane, she had a unique talent for flattering everyone while poking fun at herself.

Politics

12 h. ago Revealed: How Dame Jilly Cooper died in the hours after falling at Grade II listed home in The Cotswolds

The novelist was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital after a 999 call was made to the ambulance service on late Saturday afternoon.

Events

13 h. ago ‘Absolutely divine!’ How Jilly Cooper changed the world – one bonkbuster at a time

Her romances were so intelligent, raunchy and outrageously readable that she created her own category, bewitching generations of readersJilly Cooper, who has died unexpectedly at the age of 88, sold 11m copies of her various epic books over her half-century of writing. Beloved of anyone with any sense over a certain age (45), she was introduced to a new generation last year with the Disney+ adaptation of Rivals.Cooper purists would have preferred to watch the Rutshire chronicles in order: starting with Riders, first published in 1985, in which Rupert Campbell-Black, cad, heartbreaker, rider, is first introduced. But that’s a sidebar – what was striking about seeing Rivals as a box set was how well Cooper’s universe had aged. The chronicles distilled the 80s: the shoulder pads and puffball skirts; the obsession with class, aristocrats sneering at the Technicolored nouveau riche, both ignoring everyone else while they snipped about how warm their champagne was; the sexual politics, wi...

Politics

13 h. ago Jilly Cooper tributes from racing trainers who helped inspire her best

Jilly Cooper, who has died at the age of 88, loved going to racing stables and courses while she was writing her novels. The Queen said the much-loved author was “wonderfully witty and compassionate”

Politics

14 h. ago Jilly Cooper Obituary: ‘Queen of the bonkbuster’ who wanted to write ‘happy books’

Dame Jilly Cooper, novelist. Born: February 21, 1937. Died: October 5, 2025, aged 88

Politics

14 h. ago Jilly Cooper's raunchiest bonkbusters, from Riders to Rivals

The best-selling author has died at 88, leaving behind a legendary legacy of literary filth

Politics

15 h. ago Tributes pour in from Rivals cast in honour of Dame Jilly Cooper

The author, who was known for her ‘bonkbusters’ including Riders, Rivals and Polo, died unexpectedly Sunday morning after a fall.

Politics

17 h. ago ‘Jilly Cooper was the absolute queen’: writers pay tribute to the beloved author

The writer was an astute observer of English class – and a champion of complicated female heroines• Jilly Cooper, author of Rivals and Riders, dies aged 88• Share your memories of Jilly CooperJilly Cooper was a genuinely merry soul, with a gimlet eye and a determination to see the best in absolutely everything; even when her life was difficult, she brightened every room with her spaniel hair. What fun she had and shared with us, and what a wonderful legacy she left. Continue reading...

Culture

17 h. ago ‘Queen of joy’: Dame Jilly Cooper honoured by Rivals stars after death aged 88

Renowned author is being remembered as a ‘magical woman’ by cast of the hit Disney+ adaptation

Politics

17 h. ago Teachers called her unholy terror & bosses sacked her 20 TIMES, but Jilly Cooper forged an empire by breaking ALL rules

KING Charles may have made her a Dame for services for literature but Jilly Cooper was the undisputed Queen of the Bonkbuster. Jilly, who died on Sunday, age 88, in a fall at her home in the Cotswolds, was best-known as author of the raunchy Rutshire Chronicles – a series of novels about bonking, horses...

Events

17 h. ago Rivals: How Jilly Cooper’s riotous bonkbuster brought us the ultimate unexpected love story

Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson were the unexpected heart of the hit Jilly Cooper adaptation, writes Helen Coffey

Politics

18 h. ago ‘A bit silly’: What TV bosses got wrong about Jilly Cooper’s wonderful books

‘A group of people saw Jilly’s work as naff but another group saw it as dangerous and sexy,’ said ‘Rivals’ showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Culture

18 h. ago 'Queen of the bonkbuster' who brought sex to Middle England's bookshelves: Dame Jilly Cooper

The Rivals author was famed for her raunchy romance novels, selling more than 12million books in her career.

Politics

18 h. ago Jilly Cooper: from train crashes to affairs — a scandalous life well

The author made her name writing racy novels, but her life was almost as interesting as those of the characters in her books

Events

18 h. ago Jilly Cooper's Rivals and other 'bonkbusters' that became huge screen hits

Jilly Cooper, who became known for her multi-million selling bonkbusters, has sadly died at the age of 88 following a fall but here we take a look back her biggest hits that made it to the big screen

Events

18 h. ago Queen Camilla’s tribute to ‘legend’ Dame Jilly Cooper after author’s death aged 88

Queen Camilla has paid tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper after the author died aged 88, describing her as a 'legend' and a 'wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many'

Culture

18 h. ago Queen Camilla’s tribute to ‘legend’ Dame Jilly Cooper after Rivals author’s death aged 88

Queen Camilla has paid tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper after the author died aged 88, describing her as a 'legend' and a 'wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many'

Culture