The Day Of The Jackal author Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86
The Day Of The Jackal author Frederick Forsyth has died at the age of 86, after a brief illness, his literary agents said.
The best-selling author was surrounded by his family as he died at home on Monday morning, Curtis Brown added.
The former RAF pilot and investigative journalist turned novelist was known for writing thrilling crime books including The Fox, The Kill List, and The Afghan.
His agent Jonathan Lloyd said: 'We mourn the passing of one of the world's greatest thriller writers.
'Only a few weeks ago I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life – In My Own Words, to be released later this year on BBC1 – and was reminded of an extraordinary life, well lived.
'After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages in German, French and Russian to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra.
'Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, The Day Of The Jackal, and instantly became a global best-selling author.
'He went on to write more than 25 books (many of which were made into films) that have sold over 75 million copies.
'He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, all of us at Curtis Brown and of course his millions of fans around the world – though his books will of course live on forever.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Beth, review: a baffling and muddled sci-fi drama about race and IVF
Beth is Channel 4's first 'digital original drama'. What does this mean? Your guess is as good as mine. But it's being shown as a 45-minute programme on regular television and in 15-minute mini-episodes on YouTube. 'Truly groundbreaking,' says the man from Channel 4. Hmm. The thinking seems to be that young people with chronically short attention spans watch YouTube, and Channel 4 needs young people. In which case, they've made a baffling choice of subject, because does anyone under the age of 30 want to watch a stifling drama about a couple going through IVF? It's billed as a sci-fi thriller, which piques the interest a bit. Think of it as an undercooked episode of Black Mirror. Joe and Molly (Nicholas Pinnock and Abbey Lee) have been trying for a baby. They've had multiple rounds of fertility treatment and multiple miscarriages. Now at the end of the road, they're told by their doctor that there is a chance they could conceive naturally. 'Once you remove the stress and strain, miracles can happen. That's the irony with IVF,' he explains. He also puts his hand on Molly's knee in the consulting room, which we are invited to find a bit suspicious. Is there something going on between those two? When Molly does get pregnant, and the baby arrives – white and bearing no resemblance to Joe – the question hanging in the air is: who's the father? We skip from the labour room to a few years later. You may be wondering where the sci-fi element kicks in, and the answer is about five minutes from the end. The big reveal is bizarre. Until then, though, it is just a little bit odd. Molly's mother becomes unnaturally freaked out by a child's drawing. There is some business with a wall clock. As for the title, I still have no idea who Beth is. Film-maker Uzo Oleh has a background in high-end fashion photography and he has crafted something that looks beautiful, not least because Lee is a model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue. As an entry into television writing and directing, it's a promising start, but too hung up on the visuals. The tone is arty. The casting is a problem, because while the talented Pinnock acts like a regular guy invested with a full range of human emotions, Lee is at an icy remove even in scenes where she's supposed to be full of warmth. At times, as Molly and Joe wear their expensive clothes in a tasteful apartment, a couple supposedly in love but displaying about as much emotional connection as Nick Robinson and Emma Barnett on the Today programme, it reminded me of Eyes Wide Shut. It helps to watch it twice, once you've seen the twist. But when the emphasis is on the convenience of 15-minute instalments, will anybody have the time to do that?
BBC News
34 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ballymena: Disorder in town after alleged sexual assault of girl
There has been disorder in Ballymena after crowds gathered near the location of an alleged sexual assault in the with their faces masked and wearing gloves could be seen throwing masonry.A police car had what appeared to be two of its windows Clonavon Terrace, which was blocked off on both ends by police Land Rovers, windows of a house had been smashed. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a "number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties".Officers are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area until further Supt Sue Steen said: "We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk". Earlier, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the County Antrim town. On Monday night, hundreds of people gathered in Ballymena at a protest that was believed to be related to that ongoing court crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and marched along Larne Street and then Queen Street.
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Furious Love Island fans rage 'sort it out' as ITVX 'crashes' and freezes just minutes into launch episode
Love Island fans have been left seething as ITVX 'crashed' just minutes into the opening episode of the new series. Host Maya Jama returned to the TV villa as the show welcomed a new batch of singletons for the 12th series. However, as the stunning ladies trickled into the villa, ITV 's streaming service ITVX appeared to go down for some users. Some fans said the app was also 'freezing' as they tried to watch the bumper 90-minute launch show. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one furious viewer said: 'Anyone else's ITVX glitchy as f**k!??? Ugh every f***ing year, sort it out ITV. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. A second blasted: 'Ugh!!! Was tryin to watch live but ITV is playin games with my stream so I will watch the rerun later.' 'ITVX App is shocking it keeps freezing all the time,' said a third unhappy fan.' While a fourth vented: 'Why does ITV2 keep stalling.' Meanwhile, this year's opener kicked off with the show's biggest twist yet. The ladies -Shakira, Meg, Alima, Sophie, Megan and Helena - were first to enter the villa and talk turned to the boys they could potentially couple up with. Usually the viewers are tasked with deciding who the first couples are, but this year the girls chose purely based on the boys' dating profiles. Explaining the huge change, Maya told them: 'This year things are slightly different. You've told me what your type on paper is, but does that match your ideal man in reality? Come and join me by the pool.' As the first coupling up took place, fans took to social media to vent their fury at ITV as they were left missing out on the action It comes as one Love Island star has already been sensationally dumped from the villa, before the launch show has even aired. For one girl, her time on the show is set to be brutally cut short as she's sent packing shortly after her arrival in the first savage twist of the series. It is said that the girl was 'absolutely gutted' by her dismissal which came following the entrance of this year's first bombshell. A source told The Sun: 'This girl will be sorely missed as was already proving to be a big character. They were absolutely gutted to leave.' They continued: 'But the series has twists and turns at every stage and this isn't the usual dumping viewers might expect after a bombshell arrives. 'Executive producer Mike Spencer-Hayter has promised drama for the tenth anniversary and this format point will not disappoint.' NAME: Sophie Lee AGE: 29 FROM: Manchester OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Forte Clarke AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves.
