Rivals Stars Pay Tribute to Literary Legend Dame Jilly Cooper at London Memorial
A constellation of stars from the hit television adaptation Rivals joined close friends and admirers today to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Dame Jilly Cooper at a poignant memorial service in central London.
The service, held on Friday morning at the historic Southwark Cathedral, was convened in honour of the beloved author who passed away unexpectedly last October at the age of 88, following injuries sustained from a fall.
A Star-Studded Congregation Gathers
Among the notable figures arriving to pay their respects were several actors from the acclaimed Disney+ series Rivals. The congregation included Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, and Katherine Parkinson, all of whom came to remember the literary icon.
Further adding to the distinguished assembly were actors Aidan Turner and Caitlin FitzGerald, who also joined the gathering to celebrate Dame Jilly's remarkable life and contributions to literature and entertainment.
Celebrating a Literary Legacy
Dame Jilly Cooper was renowned for her bestselling fiction novels that masterfully explored themes of scandal, romance, and adultery within upper-class society. Her most famous works include Riders, Rivals, and Polo, which form part of her celebrated Rutshire Chronicles series.
The recent television adaptation of Rivals, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside in the 1980s, has brought her work to a new generation. The award-winning Disney+ series features an ensemble cast including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Emily Atack, and Danny Dyer.
Royal Connections and Cultural Impact
One of Dame Jilly's most iconic characters, the fictional seducer and showjumper Rupert Campbell-Black from The Rutshire Chronicles, is said to have been partly inspired by the Queen's former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. This connection highlights the author's keen observation of British society.
Queen Camilla herself previously described Dame Jilly as a "wonderfully witty and compassionate friend" and a true "legend" of writing, underscoring the author's significant cultural standing.
A Prolific Career Across Media
Beyond her famous novels, Dame Jilly's creative output spanned multiple media formats:
- Several of her novels were adapted for television, including an ITV series of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous featuring Stephen Billington and Hugh Bonneville
- A Riders television series starring Marcus Gilbert aired during the 1990s
- She created the 1970s sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, which starred Dame Joanna Lumley
Remarkably, Dame Jilly continued writing into her later years, publishing her most recent novel Tackle! in 2023. She composed all her works on her cherished manual typewriter, affectionately named Monica.
National Recognition and Personal Life
The author received significant honours for her contributions to literature and charity. She was made a CBE in the 2018 New Year Honours and was later appointed a Dame in 2024. She famously described receiving her damehood from King Charles as "orgasmic", capturing her characteristic wit and enthusiasm.
Dame Jilly Cooper is survived by her two children, Felix and Emily, who continue her legacy. Today's memorial service served as a fitting tribute to a writer whose work captured the imagination of millions and whose influence extended across literature, television, and British cultural life.
