Rishi Sunak says racy Jilly Cooper novels supply him ‘escapism’
It was first reported that the Prime Minister enjoys the raunchy books, together with 1985 bestseller Riders, earlier this month and Mr Sunak confirmed the news in an look on ITV’s This Morning.
Asked by presenter Alison Hammond whether it is true he reads the books, the Prime Minister laughed and stated: “Yes that’s true. It’s unclear how that has emerged.”
He then name-checked Riders, Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous and Appassionata, saying: “Those are my (favourites.)
“She’s done lots of different books, that’s the set of books that I like, those ones.”
The books are a part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, set within the elite world of showjumping and polo and that includes the lothario Rupert Campbell-Black.
Asked about his largest remorse, Mr Sunak joked that it was having to debate his ardour for Cooper’s books, however continued: “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, right? And just go into a totally different place.”
Cooper’s novel Rivals, printed in 1988, is at present being tailored right into a TV collection starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Emily Atack and Danny Dyer.
The Disney+ eight-part collection will characteristic British actor Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black.