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| Author Dick Francis dies aged 89 | Author Dick Francis dies aged 89 |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said. | Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said. |
| Francis, who wrote more than 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also champion jockey in the 1950s and the Queen Mother's jockey. | Francis, who wrote more than 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also champion jockey in the 1950s and the Queen Mother's jockey. |
| He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later. | He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later. |
| Francis's most recent works, including Dead Heat and Silks, were co-authored by his son Felix. | Francis's most recent works, including Dead Heat and Silks, were co-authored by his son Felix. |
| Literary accolades | Literary accolades |
| Mr Francis said he was "devastated" at the loss of his father, who produced a novel a year during his long career. | Mr Francis said he was "devastated" at the loss of his father, who produced a novel a year during his long career. |
| "We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honour for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels," he added. | "We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honour for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels," he added. |
| A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen would be "saddened" by the news. | A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen would be "saddened" by the news. |
| Former racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan called him "a very good mate" and said: "I particularly enjoyed reading his novels and found him a wonderfully efficient author." | Former racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan called him "a very good mate" and said: "I particularly enjoyed reading his novels and found him a wonderfully efficient author." |
| Former jockey John Francome said: "He was a lovely person who always had a sparkle in his eye and he had a wicked sense of humour. | Former jockey John Francome said: "He was a lovely person who always had a sparkle in his eye and he had a wicked sense of humour. |
| "I remember we used to laugh out loud about the old times." | "I remember we used to laugh out loud about the old times." |
| Francis went on to sell some 60 million books worldwide and his novels were published into 20 languages. | Francis went on to sell some 60 million books worldwide and his novels were published into 20 languages. |
| Looking back at the life of Dick Francis | Looking back at the life of Dick Francis |
| His works were also regularly featured in volumes of Reader's Digest condensed books. | His works were also regularly featured in volumes of Reader's Digest condensed books. |
| They were all written in the first person and were meticulously researched and written in longhand. | They were all written in the first person and were meticulously researched and written in longhand. |
| Francis went on to win numerous accolades for popular fiction in his genre, including Crime Writer's Association lifetime achievement award in 1996. | Francis went on to win numerous accolades for popular fiction in his genre, including Crime Writer's Association lifetime achievement award in 1996. |
| He was awarded a CBE in 2000 for services to literature. | He was awarded a CBE in 2000 for services to literature. |
| During his racing career, Francis's most famous moment was when his horse, Devon Loch, fell when he was close to winning to 1956 Grand National. | During his racing career, Francis's most famous moment was when his horse, Devon Loch, fell when he was close to winning to 1956 Grand National. |
| In 2006, Francis said of the famous incident: "It was a terrible thing but I look back on it now and I can say that if it hadn't happened I might never have written a book, and my books have certainly helped keep the wolf from the door." | In 2006, Francis said of the famous incident: "It was a terrible thing but I look back on it now and I can say that if it hadn't happened I might never have written a book, and my books have certainly helped keep the wolf from the door." |
| After he retired from the saddle, Francis was the Sunday Express racing correspondent for 16 years. | After he retired from the saddle, Francis was the Sunday Express racing correspondent for 16 years. |
| He spent his final years in retirement in the Cayman Islands and his family said he "died of old age". | He spent his final years in retirement in the Cayman Islands and his family said he "died of old age". |
| A private funeral is due to be held in the Caribbean with a memorial service in London at a later stage, a spokesman added. | A private funeral is due to be held in the Caribbean with a memorial service in London at a later stage, a spokesman added. |
| The next novel co-written with his son is due to be published in the autumn. | The next novel co-written with his son is due to be published in the autumn. |