Jeffrey Archer has died suddenly at the age of 86, his publisher confirmed. The author and politician passed away "suddenly and peacefully at home" on Monday between writing sessions.
Days before his death, Archer spoke to BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay ahead of the release of his final novel, Adam and Eve. During the conversation, they discussed his career, retiring from writing novels, his prostate cancer battle, and his time in prison.
'The clever thing in life'
In the interview, Archer made a poignant admission, with his quote opening BBC Breakfast on October 6. The clip showed Archer saying: "Everybody would like to run their last 100m at the Olympics and win the gold medal. I think the clever thing in life is when to get out."
Jon Kay asked him: "What does retirement look like for you? Retirement from novel writing, I cannot see Jeffrey Archer in the potting shed or playing golf for some reason."
Final novel published today
Archer responded: "It'll be the auctions I hope, and the charity work. My wife is currently building a hospital in Cambridge, a children's hospital. I will write plays, I will write - I hope, if I live long enough - other things, so I won't stop, it's just the final novel."
Sally Nugent and Jon Kay opened the show on Tuesday, sharing the news of Archer's death. Sally said: "Our headlines today, tributes to Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling author and politician who has died suddenly at the age of 86."
Jon added: "He sold more than 300million books and was sent to prison for lying in court. Just last week, Lord Archer spoke to BBC Breakfast about his final novel, which is published today."
Tributes paid
Tributes have been paid following the news of his death. Gyles Brandreth, who was at an event with Archer on Sunday in London, shared: "Just yesterday I did a show with Jeffrey Archer to celebrate his new novel - he said it was to be his last.
"He was in the most wonderful, ebullient form and had such a great reception from a packed house. He was funny, engaging and self-deprecating - a great storyteller to the last."
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
