Friends, family, and notable figures from the entertainment world gathered in central London on Friday morning for a heartfelt memorial service celebrating the life of beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper. The service, held at Southwark Cathedral, brought together a constellation of stars to pay tribute to the writer renowned for her captivating and scandalous novels.
A Star-Studded Gathering of Admirers
Among the early arrivals at the cathedral were several cast members from the recent Disney+ adaptation of Cooper's novel Rivals. David Tennant, Victoria Smurfit, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, and Katherine Parkinson were all spotted entering the venue, demonstrating the profound impact Cooper's work has had on the acting community. Alex Hassell arrived accompanied by his wife, Emma King, adding a personal touch to the solemn occasion.
Heartfelt Tributes from Close Friends
Dame Jilly's literary agent, Felicity Blunt, attended the service with her husband, acclaimed actor Stanley Tucci. Tucci shared moving words with waiting media, stating, "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. She was an extraordinary person, a brilliant writer, nice person and naughty." Blunt herself carried a tote bag emblazoned with the affectionate message "I love Jilly Cooper", a simple yet powerful testament to their bond.
Television presenter and gardener Alan Titchmarsh, who had been friends with Dame Jilly for four decades, described her as "hugely genuine". With characteristic warmth, he joked about her "appalling hand drawing" as her only flaw. Reflecting on the purpose of the gathering, Titchmarsh remarked, "It's a way of saying thank-you really. Such a loss of a great friend."
Remembering a Life of Fun and Fabulousness
Broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth delivered a particularly poignant tribute, characterising Cooper with the repeated word "fun". He elaborated, "Whenever I think of Jilly Cooper, I think of one word, a three-letter word: fun, fun, fun, fun. That sums her up. This is, of course, terribly sad, but also it's a celebration of an amazing life, an amazing writer, an amazing human being." Brandreth added a touch of celebratory spirit, suggesting, "Champagne is being popped in heaven today."
He also shared a charming anecdote that spanned nearly sixty years of friendship, recalling how their first and last meetings both involved holding hands and talking about sex on the back of a bus. "She was fabulous," he concluded with evident affection.
A Literary Legacy of Scandal and Success
The service honoured an author whose name became synonymous with steamy, upper-class sagas of scandal and adultery. Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away unexpectedly in October at the age of 88 following injuries from a fall, leaves behind a formidable literary legacy. Her most famous works, including Riders, Rivals, and Polo, form part of the beloved Rutshire Chronicles.
Her fiction, often set against the backdrop of the English countryside and high society, captivated readers for decades. The character of Rupert Campbell-Black, the charismatic seducer and showjumper from the Chronicles, is famously rumoured to be partly inspired by the Queen's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.
From Page to Screen
Cooper's influence extended far beyond the printed page. Her novel Rivals, set in the 1980s Cotswolds, was recently adapted into a critically acclaimed and award-winning series for Disney+, starring many of the actors present at her memorial. This was not her first foray into television; several of her novels were adapted for ITV, including The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous. She also created the 1970s sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, which featured Dame Joanna Lumley, another guest at Friday's service.
Remarkably, Cooper continued writing on her trusty manual typewriter, named Monica, publishing her final novel, Tackle!, in 2023. Her contributions to literature and charity were formally recognised with a CBE in the 2018 New Year Honours and the prestigious damehood in 2024. She famously described receiving the honour from the King as "orgasmic", a comment that perfectly captured her irreverent and joyful spirit.
The memorial at Southwark Cathedral was attended by a diverse array of guests, reflecting the wide reach of her charm and talent. Alongside the Rivals cast and close friends, attendees included Dame Joanna Lumley, actor Rupert Everett, former footballer Tony Adams, actress Lisa Maxwell, and comedian Helen Lederer.
Dame Jilly Cooper is survived by her two children, Felix and Emily. Today's service was not merely a farewell, but a vibrant celebration of a writer who infused her life and work with unparalleled energy, wit, and a generous dose of fun.
