By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-06 13:06:08 | Updated at 2026-10-06 21:26:52
8 hours ago
Jeffrey Archer reflected on his extraordinary life, political career and 58-year marriage in his final interview with GB News, answering a series of quickfire questions from Andrew Pierce.
Mr Archer, who sold more than 300 million books in his five-decade career, died yesterday at age 86.
His publisher confirmed that the author died peacefully at home, between writing sessions.
In the interview, Mr Archer revealed the politicians he trusted, the leaders he admired and what he would have done if he had been Prime Minister for just 24 hours.
Asked which politician he would trust with his secrets, the late bestseller immediately answered: “John Major.”
His answer for the politician he would not trust was more cryptic.
“Too many to say,” he replied.
Asked to write a better ending to Brexit in five words, Mr Archer replied: “I’m sorry to say goodbye.”
Jeffrey Archer reflected on his extraordinary life, political career and 58-year marriage in his final interview with GB News
GB NEWS
Mr Archer revealed that he has wished to be Prime Minister since he was five years old. As such, Andrew asked him what he would do if he were given the keys to Downing Street.
He said his first move would be to “scrap inheritance tax” and seek to bring wealthy Britons who had left the country back to Britain.
Assembling his dream Cabinet, Mr Archer picked from politicians across the past century.
Harold Lever would be his Chancellor, Douglas Hurd his Foreign Secretary and Tom King his Defence Secretary.
The late politician and author sat down with his old friend, Andrew Pierce
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For Home Secretary, he selected Shirley Williams, describing her as “such a decent, kind person, but with a formidable brain”.
For Chief Whip, he chose Patrick MacLachlan, calling him a “wonderful”.
Away from politics, Mr Archer was, as always, passionate about cricket. Asked what he would have done if he hadn't been a writer or politician, he joked that he would have captained England.
“I have got more centuries than Root. I have got more wickets than both of them,” he said.
Outside of politics, Mr Archer also shared some poignant thoughts about his 60-year marriage
GB NEWS
Mr Archer’s most personal answers came when discussing his wife Mary, whom he described as extraordinarily lucky to have married.
Asked what the title of a novel about his marriage would be, he replied: “Happily ever after. I got lucky.”
“When you marry at the age of 26, and your wife is 21, it’s a lottery. I got very lucky. I got the top prize.”
