World Leaks

WHEN it comes to a good bonkbuster, Jilly Cooper has always been at the top of her game.

The raunchy writer’s novels have won over a huge army of fans and now her smash hit novel Rivals has been turned into a Disney+ series starring David Tennant.

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Jilly Cooper has sold over 11 million copies of her books in the UK alone[/caption]

Alamy

Jilly has been writing her books since the late 60s[/caption]

Dame Jilly Cooper was born on February 21, 1937, in Hornchurch, Essex.

The author comes from a strong Yorkshire family, and spent a lot of her childhood in the Ilkley.

Jilly was educated at Moorfield School in Ilkley, and then the Godolphin School in Salisbury.

She began her career as a journalist as a junior reporter for the Middlesex Independent from 1957 to 1959.

Becoming a writer

Jilly‘s big break came when she was asked to write a feature about her experiences by the editor-in-chief of the Sunday Times Magazine.

This launched her into the spotlight, as this article led to her own column where she wrote about marriage, sex and housework.

The column ran from 1969 until 1982 when she moved to The Mail on Sunday for a further five years.

She also worked as an account executive, copywriter, publisher’s reader and receptionist.

The bonkbuster queen

It was this column that led Jilly to being able to publish her first book, How To Stay Married, in 1969.

This was quickly followed by a guide, How to Survive From Nine To Five, in 1970.

Her fourteenth novel, Pandora, was published in 2002 and spent 19 weeks on the bestseller list.

Probably her most famous book is Riders, which was published in 1985.

It is the first book in her Rutshire Chronicles Series, which runs to ten novels.

Jilly’s books have sold over 11 million copies in the UK.

They have also been translated into a number of languages and published in the US

Turning fiction into drama

Jilly’s smash hit book Rivals has been made into a TV series for Disney+, with a star-studded cast.

Set in the fictional English county of Rutshire, Rupert Campbell-Black and Lord Tony Baddingham have a rivalry that seeps into the world of Corinium television station.

The cast includes former Dr Who star David Tennant, Poldark‘s Aidan Turner, Sherwood star Claire Rushbrook, EastEnders‘ Danny Dyer, and Humans actress Katherine Parkinson.

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The author is seen here with her adopted kids[/caption]

Married life

Jilly married publisher Leo Cooper in 1961, and were together until Leo passed away in 2013.

The couple had known each other from childhood, but eventually got married when she was 24 and he was 27.

The couple adopted two children – Felix and Emily – during their marriage and they went on to have five grandchildren.

Their marriage suffered a big shock in 1990 when publisher Sarah Johnson revealed she and Leo had a years long affair.

The couple separated for some time but they eventually reconciled and got back together.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has warned he will retire immediately if snooker introduced darts-style walk-ons.

The snooker legend is still enjoying playing although he believes he is no longer the best player in the world, suggesting Judd Trump claims that mantle.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan is opposed to ‘jazzing up’ snooker[/caption]

However he would be ready to quit the sport if certain changes were made, with O’Sullivan opposed to “jazzing up” snooker.

He is particularly against the idea of snooker introducing personalised walk-ons with music, as is the case in darts.

O’Sullivan, 48, told talkSPORT: “I’d probably definitely retire if I had to do something like that.

“I’d be like ‘you know what I’m out of here now’.”

The question of how snooker can appeal to younger viewers has been around for several years, with former world champion Luca Brecel suggesting a modern dress code and shorter matches could prove beneficial.

O’Sullivan explained there is interest from young people in places like China and Saudi Arabia, although could not pinpoint why.

He has praised tournaments in those countries and believes they could be suited to hosting the World Snooker Championship – which is traditionally staged at The Crucible in Sheffield.

The seven-time world champion said: “If it makes sense, we play some tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia and the players loved it. They got treated well and looked after well.

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“It can move about – I don’t see no reason why it shouldn’t. I’m a snooker player and as a player you want to feel like you get taken care of when you’re at tournaments.

“Is it a nice environment? Are you enjoying the event? The playing side of it, you’ve got to play everywhere you go so it’s the other little bits.

“When we go abroad they do make a bit more of an effort with the event, with the players, they make it easier.

“The Crucible is a great venue, it’s been fantastic over the years. So wherever they take it I’m sure they’ll do a good job.”

PRINCE Harry has been hailed as a ‘court jester’ who has always been desperate to be popular.

Ken Wharfe, former Protection Officer to Prince William, Harry and the late Diana, appeared on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, and discussed the similarities between Harry, 40, and the late Princess Diana. 

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A royal pro has claimed that Harry is a ‘court jester’ who has always strived to be popular[/caption]

Getty - Contributor

According to Ken Wharfe, Harry was incredibly similar to his late mother, Diana[/caption]

AP

Ken claimed that Harry was popular with fans, especially when in the UK[/caption]

Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor, Matt Wilkinson, when asked if he recognised any similarities between Harry and his mother, Ken confirmed: “Yes, they’re both entertainers.”

Ken also claimed that when Harry and William were children, it was actually William who was less popular, as he continued: “Harry was always the court jester as a child.

“Part of the problem with him and his brother was that William was somewhat jealous of his popularity. 

“But like his mother, she liked to be entertained, she liked to be popular.”

After stepping down as working royals and leaving the UK in 2020, Harry, who is based in California with wife Meghan Markle, 43, and their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, now live in their sprawling mansion in Montecito, with A-listers including Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow as their neighbours.

The royal expert claimed that prior to Megxit and Harry’s move to the States, he was ‘popular’ in the UK.

He explained: “I haven’t got a great deal of sympathy for them. 

“Prior to Megxit, he was more popular than the Queen. 

“He has a style that’s so unique, he thought he could do six months in and six months out.

“It hasn’t worked out like that because the Queen wouldn’t allow that.”

He continued: “I think with Harry, he was popular, certainly when he was here in the United Kingdom.”

But despite this, he “doesn’t know” if there’s a slot for him to slip back into the British monarchy.

He shared: “He’s still got something to offer. It’s a question of how he puts it together with his wife and family, to see if he can achieve some sort of comeback.

“Is there a slot for him? I don’t know, I think we’ve got to wait and see what happens.”

Despite Harry’s somewhat dip in popularity, Ken shared that many have praised Harry as being ‘fun’, ‘mindful’ and ‘generous’, much like Diana.

Ken explained: “People will say he’s actually very fun to be with, he’s very good in meetings, he’s always mindful and careful of how he speaks to his staff, which was a classic Diana.

“She was very generous, she was a gift giver, Harry is exactly the same. 

“I do see similarities.” 

Hoever, Whilst relations between William and Harry have been strained for years, their rift became even more apparent when Harry and Meghan spoke out against the Royal Family during their interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 – where they claimed Kate had made Meghan cry ahead of her 2018 wedding in an argument over bridesmaid dresses.

Harry then made a string of bombshell claims about William in his controversial memoir, Spare, last year, claiming that William had once ‘knocked him to the floor’ in a physical fight and that he had also pointed his finger in Meghan’s face and branded her ‘rude’.

William and Harry are no longer on speaking terms, and it’s thought that they kept their distance when they recently attended the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, in Norfolk. 

THE SUN

Robert Jobson and Ken Wharfe appeared on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show[/caption]

The Mega Agency

When chatting to Matt Wilkinson, Ken shared his thoughts on the possibility of a comeback for Harry[/caption]

THEY were once one of the most beloved presenting duos on TV, so close that they regularly holidayed together with their families.

And when Phillip Schofield chose to come out live on This Morning in 2020, it was his best pal Holly Willoughby who proved the pillar of strength by his side.

Splash News

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were once the best of friends[/caption]

Rex

Enterprise News and Pictures

He quit This Morning after an affair with a younger colleague[/caption]

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Phillip says he was betrayed by three people in showbiz on tonight’s show Cast Away[/caption]

But their super-tight relationship fell apart last year in spectacular fashion, with neither of them now presenting This Morning, or even remaining on speaking terms.

Now Phil, who’s making his TV comeback tonight on Channel 5 survival show Cast Away, has taken aim at those “who betrayed him” 16 months ago when he quit This Morning after admitting to having lied about an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a much younger male colleague.

Phillip will be seen fending for himself for 10 days on a remote island paradise, located off the coast of Madagascar, in the three-part programme.

And he appears to blame his dramatic fall from grace on a trio of his former ITV colleagues, without naming any, saying: “I think there are only three s***s [of showbiz].”

He pointed out that one was a “coward who never stepped up in Queuegate,” while another “is a coward because they never stepped up when I was being battered”.

In a clip obtained by The Sun, Schofield claims the third “is just brand-orientated,” adding: “Not what you expect, not what you think you’re going to get.”

While he has not named Holly directly in any snipes, their relationship is undoubtedly at an all-time low and appears beyond repair.

Here, we we reveal how the pair went from best friends to a huge fall-out – even before Phil quit This Morning.

This Morning glory

Holly and Phil first started working together on Dancing On Ice in 2006, and then three years later, when Fern Britton quit This Morning, Holly stepped in to host by Phil’s side, and became part of the furniture.

They quickly became best friends, and Holly always said it was Phil she had to thank for her This Morning job.

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Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on holiday in August 2016[/caption]

Rex Features

She said in 2021: “If it wasn’t for Phil, I wouldn’t be on This Morning now because everyone around him at the time when he suggested my name, were like, ‘What? No! She might be alright in the fashion bit but there’s no way she could interview the Prime Minister…’

“And I remember when I got the job and I totally only have him to thank for that and his belief. 

“In literally week one, I had to interview the Prime Minister and I remember thinking in my head ‘Oh my god, I can’t do this, they know I can’t do this.'”

But it wasn’t just a work relationship the pair had.

They regularly holidayed together with their families and, in 2016, they even shared photos of themselves in the sea, with Holly wearing an “I heart PS” T-shirt and Phil matching in an “I heart HW” one.

Although they were parodying Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift with the tees, Phil captioned the photo “bestie” and Holly added: “Love!!!”

They partied together as well, and infamously shared hangovers on many occasions. 

In 2016, they came on to present This Morning, wearing the same clothes they’d been wearing at the National Television Awards the night before, having come straight from an after-party at Ant McPartlin’s house.

‘Queen Holly’ jealousy

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Holly was chosen to present I’m A Celeb with Declan Donnelly[/caption]

Times Newspapers Ltd

Phil was ‘bitter’ about this magazine cover[/caption]

Holly and Phil’s relationship appears to have first become strained in 2019, when she won a BAFTA for I’m A Celebrity, having stepped in for Ant to present the show alongside Declan Donnelly, while he was recovering from a painkiller addiction.

The series she presented also secured ITV record viewing figures – and Phil reportedly started to get jealous.

A source told The Sun: “Phillip was furious. He didn’t want Holly mentioning her triumph when they reunited on This Morning.

“It felt very petty and bitter for someone who is his close friend. But it felt like he was jealous.” 

Around the same time, Holly and Phil had been interviewed together for the Sunday Times Magazine.

On the front cover, Holly was branded “Queen Holly” and pictured wearing a cartoon crown, while ­Phillip was left bare-headed.

Phillip was said to be livid with the article, and the mag was forced to write a letter of apology to his management.

But This Morning bosses hit back at the claims and said Phillip and Holly had a “genuine friendship”. 

They said: “We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues – they haven’t because there are none.”

Distanced herself

We revealed the rift between Holly and Phil went further the following year, when Holly went to war with her and Phil’s agents YMU Group.

She chose to leave YMU to start her own agency, Roxy Management, but ended up in a legal battle over their claim for 15 per cent of her future earnings.

Two years later, Holly pocketed £1million in an out-of-court settlement with the agency — where Phil remains and is a shareholder.

Phil has previously been reported to earn £1million from YMU, with an insider saying: “Phil is very much a big player at YMU and is widely regarded there.”

Phillip was furious. He didn’t want Holly mentioning her triumph when they reunited on This Morning. It felt very petty and bitter for someone who is his close friend

A source

A source said: “Holly quietly started to distance herself from Phil back in 2020.

“She created her own female-led agency for a reason — and that was to champion women.

“The legal issues rumbled on for 18 months but Holly fought for what was right.”

Holly finally addressed any rumours of a fall-out in 2021, on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, insisting she and Phil were as close as ever.

And she said she found it hard to deal with people believing there was anything wrong with their friendship.

She said: “I was watching from afar when you’ve got every person in the press saying that you and Phillip are having a tough time. Meanwhile, you’re great friends and there were no arguments. 

“That was a particularly difficult time. But I remember having a conversation with Phil and it was like, ‘But we know’.

 “I have to believe that, as long as you know inside, and you know the truth – you know your truth – then everything is ok.”

Queuegate

ITV

Over 75,000 people signed a petition for them to be axed from This Morning[/caption]

The following year, things seemed to get very bad for the friends, as even This Morning viewers began noticing there was tension between them on-screen.

It came after a huge social media backlash against them, as they were accused of jumping the days-long queue to see the Queen lying in state, following her death in September 2022.

Explaining what happened at the time, Holly and Phil told viewers: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.

“It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.”

Despite this, over 75,000 people signed a petition to axe Holly and Phil from This Morning, and a source told OK! it had made their relationship “extremely awkward”.

“You could cut the tension in the room with a knife,” the insider said. “The fact that the audience are now noticing it too indicates that big cracks are starting to show.” 

‘Blindsided’ by paedo brother

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Timothy was sentenced to 12 years in jail for a string of sexual offences[/caption]

Even more strain came on Holly and Phil’s relationship in April last year, as Phillip’s brother Timothy was found guilty of a string of sexual offences – including abusing a teenage boy.

In the trial, Phillip confessed his brother told him what he’d done.

In his written evidence, he recalled: “I said, ‘I don’t want you to tell me anymore’. I said, ‘You’ve got to stop, just never do it again. Regardless how that happened it must never happen again’.”

Phil publicly declared he had disowned his brother, after he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

He also took three weeks off work from This Morning during the hearing.

But Holly was said to be upset Phil hadn’t warned her in advance that the trial was happening, or what his brother was accused of.

An insider told the Daily Mail: “Holly had to find out from someone else, which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him.”

Tellingly, she then took a week off work as Phil returned, claiming it was due to shingles.

She also wiped any sign of her co-star from her Twitter bio, deleting the part that said: “I was introduced to this by a Twitter legend.”

It was also reported Holly was threatening to quit This Morning if Phil wasn’t axed instead of her.

A source told the Mirror: “Holly was considering her position on the show earlier this year, as she couldn’t see Phil being ousted. But that is now a real possibility and she wants to see a decision made on both of their futures quickly.

“That is what is behind Holly asking her team to reach out to ITV – she is trying to move things forward. There has been no bloodbath meeting yet, but that could well be to come. 

“The sooner it happens, the sooner she can rebrand herself.”

But Phillip shut down any rumours of a feud again, describing Holly as his “rock,” and saying she’d been with him “through thick and thin”.

He told The Sun: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal.

“And Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.”

Again, Holly was reportedly “blindsided” by his statement, but she kept quiet on the state of their relationship.

Ghosted by Holly

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Holly said Phil lied to her over his affair with a younger colleague[/caption]

Instagram

She then released this statement after he quit This Morning[/caption]

But, then Phil’s affair with a younger colleague came to light, and Holly showed where she stood, revealing in a statement Phil had lied to her over the relationship.

Phillip then announced he was stepping down from This Morning with immediate effect in May 2023, and failed to mention Holly in his statement.

Meanwhile, Holly’s statement was very brief.

She wrote: “Hi everyone…It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. 

“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.” 

Phillip has since revealed that he reached out to Holly after the news broke but didn’t receive a reply. 

He said: “The last time we had a conversation was when I texted Holly and said, ‘Don’t reply, you’re probably not allowed to, but I am deeply deeply sorry that I lied to you.'”

MARRIED At First Sight groom Kieran Chapman breaks down in tears during an emotional confession with wife Kristina Goodsell during tonight’s episode.

Our exclusive clip shows the E4 fan-favourite couple letting their emotions flow during a relationship Q&A challenge.

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Married At First Sight star Kieran Chapman is seen breaking down in an exclusive clip for the E4 series[/caption]

E4

The bubbly mechanic was subdued as he opened up on his experience of emotional abuse[/caption]

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His wife Kristina has tears in her eyes in the clip[/caption]

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The pair have appeared to be a perfect match through the series[/caption]

Kristina, 30, asks the Newcastle mechanic, 29, if she is “too much” for him courtesy of her bubbly personality, before advising him “don’t forget yourself.”

Kieran, who thanks her for her words, says: “I need to remember not to forget who I am.

“Cause it’s took us a long time to get where I am.”

With his eyes clearly filled with emotion, the MAFS hunk goes on to explain: “I used to live with my ex, and if I was home earlier from work than her she used to make us wait outside in the van so she could get a few hours peace before I got in.

“So that was hard.

“I had to sit in the van with the dog or take the dog for a walk before I could even enter the house, so I felt like a burden.”

He adds: “To hear someone who you love say that, that they want to be in the house on their own because you’re too much, I don’t ever want to feel like that again ever.

“It’s not a nice feeling.”

Kristina, who had been supportively stroking Kieran’s leg during his tough reveal, tells him: “Thank you for being so vulnerable.”

In a piece to camera, she adds: “I feel like I am so open with my emotions.

“I really appreciate Kieran being able to feel so vulnerable with me.

“I feel like this is the first time I have actually seen that side to him.”

The camera then pans back to the pair in their apartment with Kieran reassuring his wife: “I care for you a lot and you’re not too much.

“You do you – you’re a beautiful person.”

Kristina, who works as a dog walker and has been candid about her PMDD diagnosis with her man, then confesses her confidence is boosted by having the right partner to support her.

She ends their chat and says: “I really hope its you, to which he replies: “I hope so too.”

The pair seem to have a deep emotional connection as well as sharing the same sense of humour.

Kieran arrived on their wedding day donning a pair of gross false teeth – which Kristina found hilarious when he took them out.

He then melted viewers hearts with a unique compliment about his bride.

Yet some sceptical MAFS fans believe the duo have already split.

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Kieran admits his ex locked him out of the house so she could have ‘me time’[/caption]

E4

Kristina praises her man for being ‘vulnerable’[/caption]

Channel 4

The Newcastle lad shocked viewers as he wore false teeth for his wedding[/caption]

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