Jackal author dies, 86

THE Day Of The Jackal author Frederick Forsyth has died at the age of 86, following a brief illness, his literary agents said.

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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 went on to write novels 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.