Joan Collins leads tributes to 'beautiful' sister Jackie after she dies of breast cancer

Joan Collins has paid tribute to her 'best friend' Jackie

JOAN COLLINS has paid tribute to her "brave and beautiful" sister Jackie, who passed away this weekend after a secret battle with breast cancer.

 

Countless celebrities took to Twitter last night to pay their respects, after it was revealed that novelist Jackie had sadly died at her home in Los Angeles.

Speaking to People magazine, Joan said: "She was my best friend. I admire how she handled this. She was a wonderful, brave and a beautiful person and I love her."

 

The likes of Sharon Osbourne, Mel B and Eamonn Holmes were also amongst an array of stars who immediately reacted to the shock news.

Sharon said: "Shocked and devastated at the death of Jackie Collins. Loved and respected her. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

Farewell to my beautiful brave baby sister. I will love you and miss you forever. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/pPR3KRRjUU

— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) September 20, 2015

Shocked & devastated at the death of @JackiejCollins. Loved & respected her. Thoughts & prayers go out to her family. pic.twitter.com/1RfmNEsm5G

— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) September 20, 2015

I'm so very sad to hear about @jackiejcollins She was the definition of a class act. Everyone who met her was Lucky.

— graham norton (@grahnort) September 20, 2015

Over years of interviewing , appearing with her , even travelling together - she was just lovely. RIP #JackieCollins pic.twitter.com/4sOC7NKsZr

— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) September 20, 2015

Spice Girls singer Mel added: "Same here, can't believe it. My prayers and love go out to her and her family. RIP Jackie. Man, will she be missed."

Eamonn also said: "Over years of interviewing, appearing with her, even travelling together - she was just lovely.  RIP #JackieCollins"

Graham Norton continued: "I'm so very sad to hear about @jackiejcollins She was the definition of a class act. Everyone who met her was Lucky."

The 77-year-old actress has been described as a trailblazer for women in fiction, having sold more than 500 million novels in more than 40 countries in her four decades-long career.

Jackie Collins died after a secret battle with breast cancer

Tributes have been pouring in for the best-selling author

Paying tribute to the grandmother-of-six, her family said: "It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today.

"She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades.

"She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words."