Dame Jilly Cooper, the author, has died at the age of 88 following a fall.

The romance novelist was famous for her raunchy portrayals of the British upper classes, including bestsellers Rivals and Riders .

Rivals has since been turned into a popular TV adaptation by Disney+, starring Aidan Turner and David Tennant, which is filming a second season.

In a statement, her family said: “Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.

“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.”

Cooper was awarded a damehood for services to literature by King Charles last year. She described rece

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