'Great shock': Lord Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

Acclaimed author and former politician Lord Jeffrey Archer died today at the age of 86.

In a statement, his publisher HarperCollins said the author died between writing sessions, with his final book due to come out tonight in Britain. 

Broadcaster and Sky News political editor Adam Boulton says this development was 'surprising', given there was no indication of illness.

"In that sense, one has to say it was a good death, it just came suddenly and peacefully - we're told at home."

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