Rivals stars come together at memorial service for Dame Jilly Cooper

David Tennant, Aidan Turner and... the Queen. There aren't many people who could command such a crowd and pack out Southwark Cathedral on a bleak January day. But then, there weren't many like the late, great Dame Jilly Cooper.

They were there to pay tribute to the much–loved author, who died at the age of 88 after a fall in her home in Gloucestershire in October last year.

The service of thanksgiving for her life and work heard from a multitude of friends, famous fans and family including Sir Derek Jacobi, Rupert Everett, stars from the hit TV adaptation of her book Rivals and her literary agent Felicity Blunt (sister of Emily).

It was told of the writer's 'champagne soul', her magical 'Alice in Wonderland' house in the Cotswolds and about how five horses lined up to pay an impromptu tribute to her at her private funeral in Bisley, Gloucestershire.

As Ms Blunt said in her eulogy, Dame Jilly was, for those who came of age in the early 1990s, the Taylor Swift of the literary world. 'I worshipped her from the moment I read Riders,' she told the congregation, while her husband, actor Stanley Tucci, looked on proudly.

Ms Blunt praised the queen of the bonkbuster for her Austenesque books which sold 12 million copies. Through the Rutshire Chronicles, Dame Jilly introduced many to sex, horses and the upper classes – and words such as 'heavenly', 'orgasmic' and 'ravishing'.

Under the huge arches of the cathedral, Dame Joanna Lumley read an extract from one of Dame Jilly's books, The Common Years, about her time in Putney. Everett read a traditional Celtic song and actors Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean, from the recent Disney+ version of Rivals, read an extract from the book.

Dame Jilly's children, Felix and Emily, and grandchildren including Scarlett Cooper, who read a prayer of intercession, joined with stars of stage, screen and the literary world, including fellow writers Elizabeth Day, Jojo Moyes and Helen Fielding, to remember her. The moving service culminated with the hymn Jerusalem before the congregation gathered to enjoy a glass (or three) of Moet served, in true Dame Jilly style, in huge jeroboams.

Dame Joanna, who was dressed smartly in a black hat and suit, said she had known Dame Jilly since the 1970s when she shared a flat with some girlfriends. She described her as 'heavenly'.

'She never, ever had a bad word to say about anyone and was such fun,' Joanna said.

It was a sentiment echoed by many including the Rivals cast. Danny Dyer described her as 'warm, funny and a bit of a flirt', while Aidan Turner said she would sit at the back and observe them quietly during filming.

Presenter Clare Balding, who said she'd known Dame Jilly since going to her school with her daughter Emily, described her as 'incredibly kind and generous'.

'I remember her books being banned from our school because they were so naughty,' she said. Balding described her as 'a life force with a great love of the countryside, animals and champagne'.

Bridget Jones creator Fielding described Jilly as 'an inspiration, personally and professionally'.

Comedian Helen Lederer talked about being invited to Dame Jilly's house for a party, which was, apparently just like a scene from Rivals. 'Jilly was an individual who commanded love, curiousity and warmth,' she said.

Four–legged fans also joined the congregation, including two of the dogs from Rivals, a labrador and a terrier cross. Just before leaving, the terrier was spotted trying to mount the leg of a member of the congregation. Some may say such an act would have raised a wry smile from Dame Jilly herself.