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Dame Jilly Cooper died from a head injury after falling at her home in Gloucestershire, an inquest has found.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, said the 88-year-old author “fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury”.
Though the fall was unwitnessed, forensic evidence in the area surrounding the stairs suggested that it was where the fall occurred.
South Western Ambulance Service were called at 5.35pm on 4 October and arrived at Dame Jilly’s home at 5.56pm, they told the inquiry in a statement.
Dame Jilly was initially alert and speaking with the crew on arrival. She did not recall the exact details of the fall, with only a “vague recollection of falling down”, but she spoke of having a severe headache.
She was transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where an urgent CT scan found she had sustained a skull fracture, determined likely to be a terminal event.
“The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic,” said Ms Skerrett. “She was made comfortable, her condition sadly thereafter deteriorated, and she passed away in the emergency department with family”.
Dame Jilly’s long-standing GP told the inquest that she had fallen twice previously, in 2018 and in September 2024.
She died in hospital at 8.30am on 5 October. Her death was found to be accidental, with Ms Skerrett saying “there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall”.
Ms Skerrett extended the “sincere condolences” of the coroner’s office to Dame Jilly’s family.
In a statement after her death, her children Emily Tarrant and Felix Cooper paid tribute to their mum, saying that “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,” they added.
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The author’s many fans included former prime minister Rishi Sunak, who said her books offered “escapism”. She was a long-standing friend of Queen Camilla.
One of Dame Jilly’s most-loved characters – the showjumping womaniser Rupert Campbell-Black – was partly based on the Queen’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
He was recently portrayed by actor Alex Hassell in the 2024 Disney+ adaptation of her novel Rivals.
Aidan Turner, who played the character Declan O’Hara in Rivals, with Dame Jilly Cooper
Pic: PA
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace after Dame Jilly’s death, Camilla said: “I join my husband, the King, in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family. And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs.”
A new edition of Dame Jilly’s book, How To Survive Christmas, which was first published in 1986, will be released on 13 November.
Her funeral will be held in private, in line with her wishes, but a public service of thanksgiving will be held at Southwark Cathedral at a later date, her agent has said.
Entertainment
Sally Kirkland, famous for her Oscar-nominated roles in The Sting and Anna, dies aged 84
Sally Kirkland, a former model and Oscar nominated actress known for her roles in films such as Anna, The Sting and JFK has died aged 84.
Her representative, Michael Greene, said Kirkland died on Tuesday morning at a Palm Springs hospice.
Kirkland had been unwell and struggling to cover medical bills after she fractured six bones last year and developed two life-threatening infections. She had also been diagnosed with dementia.
A GoFundMePage that was set up by her friends to help pay for her ongoing treatment had raised over £45,000 ($60,000).
Michael Douglas, left, and Sally Kirkland appear with their best actor Golden Globes for Wall Street and Anna. Pic: AP
Her biggest role was in the 1987 film Anna, as a fading Czech movie star remaking her life in the United States and mentoring a younger actor.
Kirkland won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination alongside Cher in Moonstruck, Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News and Meryl Streep in Ironweed.
Born in New York City, Kirkland was encouraged to start modelling at age five by her mother, who was a fashion editor at Vogue and Life magazines. Kirkland went on to graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1961.
An early breakout for the star was appearing in Andy Warhol’s 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964.
Sally Kirkland in 2015. Pic: Reuters
Some of her earliest roles were playing Shakespeare parts, including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Miranda in an off-Broadway production of The Tempest.
She once told the Los Angeles Times: “I don’t think any actor can really call him or herself an actor unless he or she puts in time with Shakespeare.”
Kirkland was also infamous for her nude scenes, often disrobing in films and for social causes. In particular, Kirkland volunteered and advocated for people with AIDS, the homeless and prisoners.
Entertainment
Tim Davie used the word ‘proud’ nearly a dozen times in staff call – but they seem fed up of his ‘nothing to see approach’
As he addressed his staff, the BBC’s outgoing director-general Tim Davie sounded remarkably upbeat given the events of the last few days.
Within a matter of minutes, he had said the word “proud” almost a dozen times. Proud of his staff, proud of what the corporation represents.
Having announced his resignation on Sunday, he was keen to stress that he was still in charge at the BBC and that he would ensure a smooth transition for whoever takes over.
Although he admitted it’s “been a rough few days”, quite frankly, it was a little bizarre how chipper he seemed. “This narrative will not be given by our enemies,” he insisted.
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Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie outside BBC Broadcasting House this morning. Pic: PA
You get a sense his own staff are beyond fed up with the “nothing to see here” approach Davie has maintained throughout his tenure.
While the outgoing director-general might be hoping an inspirational quote or two might reassure those working for him, in truth, many of the insiders I’ve spoken to have seemed both weary and relieved that he’s finally on his way.
His departure is “long overdue”, one told me.
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‘We’ve must fight for our journalism’
Rumours of a coup and behind the scenes boardroom plotting have been embarrassing as the BBC tries to present a united front. In the same all-staff call, BBC chair Samir Shah was quick to say we shouldn’t believe “conspiracy theories”.
He also suggested criticism of the board was “disrespectful”, when answering a question about whether members demonstrate BBC values.
If the briefing was supposed to be a chance for staff to put their questions to those in charge, it certainly wasn’t that.
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I’m told that while the Q&A had a comments box for questions, any submitted had to be reviewed before everyone could see them.
When questions about the rumoured plotter in chief, board member Sir Robbie Gibb, weren’t getting through, staff started attempting to ask questions in the reply boxes, which were public. A friend of Mr Gibb’s suggested to Deadline that the coup theory was “absolute nonsense”.
It shows BBC staff are angry, and that’s understandable given the battering the organisation has taken in the last week.
While the bosses are keen to stress that if everyone pulls together, the BBC can ride out the storm, it’s going to take more than words to reassure frustrated staff.
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