12 h. ago My unlikely friendship with Jilly Cooper: We talked football over champagne and shepherd's pie at her kitchen table, writes IAN HERBERT

IAN HERBERT: Jilly Cooper and I began corresponding when she was writing her novel about football. It became a privilege to get to know her.

Politics

16 h. ago Eamonn Holmes claims he was the inspiration for a 'devilishly handsome' character in one of Jilly Cooper's racy novels as he pays tribute to the author following her death

The writer, who was branded 'Queen of the bonkbuster' thanks to her raunchy series of books, died after a fall at her home, with her family saying they were 'shocked' by her sudden passing.

Culture

19 h. ago Jilly Cooper's funeral details from champagne and chocolates to renowned orchestra

Beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper, who was often referred to as the 'queen of the bonkbusters' for her scandalous novels, has died at the age of 88 following a fall

Politics

21 h. ago Eamonn Holmes claims he inspired ‘devilishly handsome’ character in one of Dame Jilly Cooper’s novels

The GB News host spoke about the exchange after news of the bestselling author’s death aged 88

Culture

22 h. ago BBC The One Show live broadcast halted as Alex Jones shares sad death announcement

BBC The One Show stars Alex Jones and Roman Kemp paid tribute to "amazing writer" Dame Jilly Cooper during the latest show following the author's sad death aged 88

Events

22 h. ago 'Spooked' University Challenge viewers gasp 'how did they know?!' as BBC episode closes with Jilly Cooper 'tribute'

The latest episode of the programme, hosted by Amol Rajan , saw Imperial take on Churchill College, Cambridge.

Culture

22 h. ago Dame Jilly Cooper ‘changed the way we read books as women’ – Angela Rippon

The broadcaster was friends with the author.

Culture

23 h. ago Eamonn Holmes claims he was in the inspiration for a 'devilishly handsome' character in one of Jilly Cooper's racy novels as he pays tribute to the author following her death

The writer, who was branded 'Queen of the bonkbuster' thanks to her raunchy series of books, died after a fall at her home, with her family saying they were 'shocked' by her sudden passing.

Culture

29 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

30 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

31 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

31 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

37 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

37 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

38 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

39 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

39 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

40 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

41 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

42 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