A glittering array of British celebrities gathered at Southwark Cathedral on Friday 30th January 2026 to celebrate the life and legacy of Dame Jilly Cooper, the beloved author who passed away last October at the age of 88. The memorial service brought together stars from television, film, literature and sports to honour the writer known for her scandalous novels about upper-class society.
Rivals Cast Pays Tribute
Among the most prominent attendees were the cast members from the Disney+ adaptation of Cooper's bestselling novel Rivals. Danny Dyer, David Tennant and Katherine Parkinson were all present, alongside fellow cast members Alex Hassell, Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner. Turner notably sported the distinctive moustache of his character Declan O'Hara from the series, arriving with his wife, Succession actor Caitlin FitzGerald.
Emotional Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
The service featured heartfelt tributes from those who knew Cooper best. Gardener and television personality Alan Titchmarsh, who had been friends with the author for four decades, described her as "hugely genuine" and said the memorial represented a way of "saying thank you" for her remarkable life and work.
Stanley Tucci, attending with his wife and Cooper's literary agent Felicity Blunt, told media: "She lived an incredible life. She also changed the lives of so many people for the better with her books, my wife being one of them." Tucci went on to hail Cooper as "an extraordinary person, a brilliant writer, nice person and naughty" – a fitting description for an author whose work revelled in scandal and adultery among the British elite.
A Celebration of Fun and Achievement
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth captured the spirit of the occasion perfectly, stating: "Whenever I think of Jilly Cooper, I think of one word, a three-letter word: fun, fun, fun, fun. That sums her up." He continued: "This is, of course, terribly sad, but also it's a celebration of an amazing life, an amazing writer, an amazing human being. Champagne is being popped in heaven today and I'm honoured and delighted to be here amongst so many celebrating an amazing writer."
Distinguished Guests from Across the Arts
The memorial attracted a diverse range of notable figures including:
- Dame Joanna Lumley and her husband Stephen Barlow
- Actor Rupert Everett
- Former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams
- Comedian and writer Helen Lederer
A Literary Legacy of Scandal and Success
Cooper achieved national fame through her risqué fiction that explored the scandalous lives of Britain's upper classes during the 1980s and 1990s. Her 1988 novel Rivals, the second book in her popular Rutshire Chronicles series, depicted the sordid power struggle between two television companies in the Cotswolds and has now been adapted into a major Disney+ series.
Beyond Rivals, several of Cooper's novels have been adapted for television, including an ITV series of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous featuring Stephen Billington and Hugh Bonneville, and a 1990s adaptation of Riders starring Marcus Gilbert.
Royal Recognition and Personal Tragedy
Cooper received significant recognition for her contributions to literature and charity. She was made a CBE in the 2018 New Year Honours and was delighted to become a Dame in 2024, later describing receiving the honour from King Charles as "orgasmic" – a characteristically bold statement from the celebrated author.
The author's death followed a tragic accident at her home in Bisley, Gloucestershire. Although initially alert after her fall on 4th October, her condition deteriorated after being transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and she passed away with family present on 5th October at 8:30am.
Her children, Felix and Emily, announced her death, stating: "Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. 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."
The memorial service at Southwark Cathedral provided a fitting tribute to an author whose work brought pleasure to millions while fearlessly exploring the scandalous undercurrents of British society. The presence of so many distinguished guests from across the entertainment industry testified to Cooper's enduring influence and the affection in which she was held by colleagues and admirers alike.
