Rishi Sunak's favourite author Jilly Cooper made a Dame in New Years Honours

29 December 2023 , 22:30

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Author Jilly Cooper is a particular favourite of Rishi Sunak (Image: Getty Images)

Rishi Sunak's favourite author - racy novelist Jilly Cooper - has been made a Dame in the New Year Honours list.

The prolific writer, whose books include Riders - which is said to be the Prime Minister's top pick - was awarded the title for services to literature and to charity. Dame Jilly said in a statement: "I am absolutely and incredibly bowled over. I cannot believe I am a DBE, which in my case also stands for Delighted, Bewildered and Ecstatic!".

Mr Sunak has previously spoken of his love for the 86-year-old's work. In May, he listed his six favourite books by Ms Cooper, describing them as "escapism". After finding out he was a fan, the author sent the PM a signed copy of her latest bonkbuster, Tackle!, which the PM said he hoped to read over the Christmas break.

1985 novel Riders is one of her best known

The PM said he planned to read Tackle over Christmas

Ms Cooper is best known for her romantic novels, particularly 1985's Riders. Speaking on the This Morning sofa earlier this year, the PM said this and follow-ups Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous and Appassionata are his favourites.

Mr Sunak told ITV's Alison Hammond: “She’s done lots of different books. That’s the set of books that I like. They are good. You need to have escapism in your life. And that’s a good thing. So whether it’s whatever TV you watch, whatever you’re reading, it’s good to be able to get away from your day-to-day and then just go into a totally different place.”

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Earlier this month, he told The Spectator of her latest novel: "It is literally on my bedside table. This is the first year in a long time that I have actually read some fiction."

Officials have stressed that Mr Sunak played no role in approving the title being bestowed on her. Ms Cooper, who has previously been awarded a CBE, started writing short stories before taking on a Sunday Times column focusing on sex, marriage and socialising. Her second novel, Riders, is being adapted into a short series by Disney Plus.

Ms Cooper has been praised for her work with animals, becoming the patron of numerous charities. After her 1983 non-fiction book Animals in War, she became one of the founding patrons of the Animals in War memorial in Hyde Park. She has also campaigned for passports for pets to replace quarantine.

Dave Burke