This Morning hosts share tragic breaking news as 'friend of the show' dies

This Morning's Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley paused Monday's programme to honour the late Jilly Cooper.

The famed author of "bonkbusters" such as Rivals, Riders and Polo, tragically passed away at 88 following a fall.

Her children, Felix and Emily, expressed their shock at her sudden passing.

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In a statement, they 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.", reports Wales Online.

Upon hearing the news on Monday morning, This Morning took a moment to remember Jilly.

Host Ben, 50, announced: "We've had some very tragic news in the last 30 minutes. Much-loved author and friend of the show, Dame Jilly Cooper, has sadly passed away at the age of 88."

Cat, 48, added: "She was of course known for her best-selling romance novels, many of which have been adapted into films and TV shows. Most recently, the hit series Rivals."

Ben then asked Gyles Brandreth, a regular commentator on This Morning, about his friendship with Jilly, saying: "Yes Gyles, Jilly was a dear friend of yours, wasn't she?"

This led Gyles, 77, to share: "I first met her 55 years ago, I last saw her two weeks ago at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, for the Queen's Reading Room Festival, where Queen Camilla was there.

"I was so thrilled to see Dame Jilly Cooper, who was in really good form, she was fun, she was funny, and she loved the fact that a lot of young people, teenagers, young women in their 20s, young men in their 20s, had come to see her because the television had brought back the popularity of her great books."

Dame Jilly is renowned for her contributions to The Rutshire Chronicles, which spotlight the showjumping heartbreaker Rupert Campbell-Black.

One of these novels, Rivals, has recently been transformed into a television series by Disney+.

This Morning continues on weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV X.