Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86

Bestselling author and ex-politician Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86.

Archer, whose last book Adam and Eve is to be published on October 6, sold more than 300 million books in his five-decade-long writing career.

Announcing his death, his publisher HarperCollins said he died “suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions” on Monday.

Archer, was a Conservative MP for Louth from 1969 to 1974, and Deputy Chairman of the party from 1985 to 1986 under Margaret Thatcher.

His literary career was launched by his first novel Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, in 1976.

Archer continued his public engagements almost to the end of his life (Getty)

He was to spend five and a half years on the New York Times bestseller list and over 14 years on the Sunday Times bestseller list.

Among his achievements, he is the only author to have won the top spot in the Sunday Times bestseller for fiction, non-fiction and short stories.

Only yesterday, he was in central London’s Leicester Square Theatre signing books for hundreds of his adoring fans.

HarperCollins UK CEO and Archer’s editor, Kate Elton, said: “It has been one of the great privileges of my publishing life to have been Jeffrey Archer's editor.

“He was the master storyteller and an editor's dream - phenomenally hard-working, utterly committed to completing draft after draft to get every word as perfect as possible, and a true champion of the 'team' nature of great publishing.

“When he set out to write Adam and Eve he told me from the very beginning that it would be his final novel - he was so excited about the scale of it and told me that if he could pull it off it would equal anything he'd previously written, on which basis he couldn't imagine embarking on any future novels.

He sold over 300 million books in his decades long career (getty)

“He did indeed pull it off - and he was utterly thrilled by the early reader reactions. We're all devastated to have lost a writer who has brought joy to generations of readers - and a true friend.”

Nadhim Zahawi, former Conservative chancellor and posted a tribute to Lord Jeffrey Archer on X.

He wrote: “Jeffrey Archer was a dear friend and an extraordinary human being. His gift for storytelling was matched by his wit, warmth and boundless energy. Life was never dull in Jeffrey’s company. As a charity auctioneer, he was a force of nature: commanding a room, making people laugh and persuading them to dig deeper.

Archer celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary earlier in the year (Getty)

“He used that remarkable talent to raise millions for charitable causes, leaving a legacy of generosity that reaches far beyond his books. Behind the celebrated author was a man with an enormous heart, fiercely loyal to his friends and generous with his time.

“My love and deepest condolences go to Mary and the whole family. Jeffrey, it was a privilege to call you my friend. You were one of a kind. May you rest in eternal peace.”

He was married to Dame Mary Archer for 60 years, and he is survived by two sons and five grandchildren.