Is Rivals a true story? Fans swoon over raunchy Emily Atack drama with royal link

A new Disney+ show is leaving viewers hot under the collar, as Dame Jilly Cooper's world of racy aristocratic shenanigans is brought to the small screen - and one of the naughtiest characters has an unexpectedly regal connection

Dame Jilly Cooper's classic romp Rivals has now attracted a new generation of fans thanks to a saucy new Disney+ adaptation.

Based on the 1988 'bonkbuster' of the same name, the risqué romance drama follows rivals Rupert Campbell Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony Baddingham (David Tenant) as they navigate life in the uber-posh social circles of the fictional county of Rutshire.

Amid the one-upping and scandal, there are plenty of naughty moments - including a particularly memorable scene which sees Emily Atack's ambitious politician's wife Sarah Stratton playing tennis in the buff.

Fans have been left feeling a little hot under the collar, and no doubt many will be wondering how the lusty cast of aristos arrived fully formed, albeit not fully clothed, in Dame Jilly's wild imagination. Turns out, one Royal connection provided the inspiration for one the caddish Rupert...

The 87-year-old romance novelist has naturally had to deal with legions of adoring fans begging her to divulge who the 'real Rupert' is, and she's previously confessed that the womaniser is based on three dashing toffs of her acquaintance. Speaking with The Telegraph in 2002, to mark the 30th anniversary of her Rutshire Chronicles series, Dame Jilly revealed that her muses included 11th Duke of Beaufort, David Somerset, the late 21st Earl of Suffolk 'Mickey' Suffolk, and Andrew Parker Bowles - the ex-husband of Queen Camilla.

Dame Jilly told the publication: "They were a wildly dashing and exciting group. Their bravery and charisma were the essential elements of Rupert's character." She swiftly added: "This was because of their charm and glamour, not for any of Rupert's naughty behaviour!"

A retired army officer, Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, who is now married to The Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson, was known as something of a ladies' man in his youth. A known charmer, Andrew dated Princess Anne before settling down with Camilla, and although his first wife's affair has gone down in Royal history, the military man reportedly had a few steamy flings himself. His philandering allegedly even extended to the future Queen's pals.

Speaking with Vanity Fair back in July, Penny Junor, author of The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair That Rocked the Crown, recalled how one lady once playfully scolded Andrew, telling him: "I'm really hurt, Andrew. I'm the only one of Camilla's friends you haven't made a pass at. What's wrong with me?"

Shedding some light on the now 84-year-old's mischievous personality, Camilla confidante the Marchioness of Lansdowne, told The Sun: "Everybody loves Andrew. He's a real charmer but he's always terribly misbehaving."

She continued: "Andrew will ring [Camilla] up and tell her when she's got something wrong. And she'll ring him up and say when he's misbehaving. Through adversity, they've kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren."

In the book series, heartthrob Rupert is described as 'well-constructed. Usually, men with such long legs had short bodies but Rupert, from the broad flat shoulders to the lean muscular hips and powerful thighs, seemed perfectly in proportion."

Naturally, with such big riding boots to fill, Alex Hassell was initially a little nervous to get in Rupert's saddle, telling Tatler: "I actually said to my agent, 'I shouldn't bother auditioning', because I didn't think I would have a chance of getting the part or would even know how to play it if I did."

Not only did Alex get the part, he's also proven a huge hit with diehard readers and new fans alike - and even Dame Jilly has offered her seal of approval, with the great author revealing she'd been 'totally won over' by the actor's take on Rupert.

Meanwhile, viewers have been taking to social media to signal their ardent approval of the new show, with the steamier scenes proving to be especially popular. One won-over fan swooned: "Binged most of #Rivals this evening. Rupert Campbell Black is exactly how I imagined. They’d better commission more, and just how brilliant is Danny Dyer?"

Another tweeted: "While I haven’t read the books on which this show is based, the actor (Alex Hassell) portraying Rupert Campbell-Black did so impeccably. The sex appeal is intoxicatingly palpable and literally jumps off the screen in every seen. Fingers crossed for a second season."

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