Ryan Tubridy has paid tribute to former politician and novelist Jeffrey Archer, revealing that he died ‘moments’ before joining the ex-Late Late Show host at an event.
Harper Collins confirmed on Monday that Archer had passed away peacefully in his home, between writing sessions.
However, Tubridy has explained that he was awaiting the writer’s arrival just before heading out on stage when he was delivered the news.
The pair were set to speak in front of 120 of Archer’s readers, a day ahead of the publication of his last novel, Adam and Eve.
Tubridy expressed his shock and sadness over Archer’s death, while paying tribute to him with an Instagram post.
He wrote: ‘I was sitting in the canteen at work here in London last night putting the finishing touches to my notes for an event that was due to start within the hour.
‘I was all set to sit down with Jeffrey Archer on stage in front of 120 of his readers one day ahead of the publication of his last novel, Adam and Eve. It was then that I heard the awful news that Jeffrey had died moments earlier. It was shocking and utterly unexpected.
‘Jeffrey was not an uncomplicated man with a storied past and a stellar writing career. He was mischievous and curious in equal measure. Many of you will have read his books as your first introduction to adult fiction. I loved his short stories as a young reader.’
Tubridy revealed that he had been working with Archer over the past four months, conducting a ‘series of interviews in his apartment whereby some of his friends called by and I’d moderate a chat about their respective pasts’.
He continued: ‘It was fascinating to eavesdrop on these intriguing lives. Prue Leith, Patricia Hodge, Tim Rice, Joanna Lumley, Anthony Horowitz and Gyles Brandreth were among the cavalcade of storytellers.
‘You can watch them on YouTube if you like (just search Life with Ryan Tubridy) and listen in on some beautifully bonkers conversations.
‘For Jeffrey to die like this: Suddenly and on the eve of publication of his last ever novel? He couldn’t have written it better himself.’
Archer and his wife, Mary, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They had two sons and five grandchildren.
