As the unrivalled queen of romantic, racy fiction set in the imaginary county of Rutshire, she has been dreaming up bestsellers for decades, all of them with scandalous plots, shocking shenanigans and an assortment of handsome cads and bullish bounders from the posh polo set.
And as she exclusively invites us to join her and her five grandchildren at her 14thcentury home in the Cotswolds ahead of the launch of her latest novel, Tackle!, she tells us how she has swapped the polo field for the football pitch and showjumping champions for Premier League stars.
It was, Jilly tells us – as her grandsons Jago, 19, Lysander, 17, and Acer, 15, and granddaughters Scarlett, 14, and Sienna, 12, kick a ball around the lawn of her country garden – former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who inspired her change of direction.
“I was looking for a new subject for my next book when I found myself sitting next to him at a lovely lunch,” she recalls. “He was so charming, funny, relaxed and gorgeous. After that, I just got going.”
NEW GOALS
Setting her new novel in the world of football involved extensive research. For although Jilly had occasionally reported on football matches after leaving school to work on the Middlesex Independent – “one of my headlines was: ‘Oh Brentford, how could you!’” she giggles – she describes herself as a “football ignoramus”.
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra November 06, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
DON'T JUDGE ME! GABRIELA DIVES IN
Celebrity nutritionist Gabriela Peacock takes a peek into the fridge of Celia Walden and Piers Morgan and offers tips on healthy eating
TYING A DOUBLE KNOT
Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma head Down Under for a sunny second wedding celebration
KATE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
As the Princess of Wales turns 43, she is balancing her health and her evolving royal role - with her family at the heart of it all
A WOMAN TRANSFORMED
Hollywood actress Amy Adams on her surprising new role and what brings out her feral side
IN TUNE WITH HER EMOTIONS
As she receives plaudits for her role as opera legend Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie opens up about the solace to be found in singing your heart out
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
While some stars hit the beach, other celebrities took off to enjoy some of the chicest winter resorts - while keeping cosy in style
SIZZLING STARS FABULOUS AT 50
As a host of A-listers prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday this year, we look at their positive approach to ageing and why they believe they're in the prime of life
CHANGING TIMES
Gabby Logan reveals her secret to coping with 'empty nest' syndrome and how she maintains her mental and physical health
BEWITCHING THE WORLD
As we look back on Cynthia Erivo's rise to fame, her teachers tell us how they knew the South London girl would be a star
LIFE AND ART IN HARMONY
In the Milan apartment and gallery of Katharine and Carl Kostyál, the lines are blurred between their work as art collectors and curators and their loving family life
