The cast of Disney+ series Rivals has paid tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper, who died unexpectedly on Sunday morning after a fall. The author, known for her 'bonkbusters' including Riders, Rivals and Polo, was 87.
Alex Hassell, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black in the show, described her as a 'magical woman' who changed his life. 'She was so kind and supportive to me in portraying her hero Rupert,' he said. 'I'm so pleased I got to see her on set the other day, and pretty much the last things she said to me was that she was proud of me.'
Emily Atack, who portrays Sarah Stratton, wrote: 'To be taken into your world was the hugest honour and a once in a life time privilege. I cannot begin to explain how much we will miss you.' Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud O'Hara, added: 'Our divine Queen has gone to the sky. Jilly was everything that was good about being a person.'
Executive producers Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alex Lamb said they were 'broken-hearted', adding: 'It has been the most incredible honour to have been able to work with her to adapt her incredible novels for television.' Danny Dyer and Gary Lamont also paid tribute, with Lamont calling her 'a privilege to have been in her orbit'.
Dame Joanna Lumley, who starred in Cooper's 1970s sitcom It's Awfully Bad for Your Eyes, Darling, said: 'She was entirely generous, hugely talented, prolific, enthusiastic, meticulous and wholly loveable.' Authors Jill Mansell and Kathy Lette also credited Cooper with inspiring their careers.
