University Challenge airs Jilly Cooper tribute hours after death as fans left 'spooked'

University Challenge fans were left "spooked" as the BBC show aired a Dame Jilly Cooper tribute just hours after her death.

The literary legend, who famously penned "bonkbuster" novels Rivals and Riders, died on Sunday (October 5) after a fall. She was 88 years old.

Jilly's children, Felix and Emily, said in a statement: "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.

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"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."

Just one day after Jilly's passing, University Challenge concluded with a "tribute" to the writer, despite being recorded before her death, reports the Express.

Monday's (October 6) episode of the BBC show, presented by Amol Rajan, witnessed Imperial College London face off against Churchill College, Cambridge.

During the closing moments of the final round, Amol posed a question about Dame Jilly to the teams, stating: "First, the county in the Cotswolds created by Jilly Cooper and which is the setting of a number of her novels, including Riders and Rivals..."

However, the contestants didn't manage to respond as the time had run out.

"At the gong, Imperial have 160 and Churchill have 175!" Amol subsequently announced.

The programme's audience were left stunned following the reference to the late author, with numerous people flocking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their thoughts.

"Timely mention of Jilly on #UniversityChallenge. Lovely, sad serendipitous touch," one viewer penned, with another chiming in: "Spooky that it finished on a Jilly Cooper question."

A third remarked: "What a glorious epitaph for the late great Jilly Cooper to be the final question on #UniversityChallenge today."

Echoing the sentiment, a fourth fan stated: "How fitting there was a Jilly Cooper question," with another similarly sharing: "Jilly Cooper question, a nice little tribute. How did you know? #University Challenge."

Queen Camilla led the tributes to Dame Jilly, describing the author as a "wonderfully witty and compassionate friend", adding: "May her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs."

University Challenge is available to stream on BBC iPlayer