Renowned author Frederick Forsyth, best known for his gripping thriller novels such as The Day Of The Jackal, has passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his agent. Forsyth, who sold over 75 million books worldwide, is being remembered as one of the most influential thriller writers in the world.

Born in Kent in 1938, Forsyth had a diverse career that included being an RAF pilot, a war correspondent for the BBC and Reuters, and a former MI6 agent. Drawing inspiration from his real-life experiences, many of his fictional plots were based on his adventures around the globe.

His breakout novel, The Day Of The Jackal, published in 1971, catapulted him to fame. The story revolves around an Englishman hired to assassinate the French president, Charles de Gaulle. The novel was later adapted into a film in 1973 and a TV drama in recent years.

Forsyth passed away after a brief illness on Monday. His agent Jonathan Lloyd expressed his condolences, highlighting Forsyth's extraordinary life and contributions to the literary world. Bill Scott-Kerr, his publisher, praised Forsyth's professionalism and creativity, noting that his novels continue to captivate readers worldwide.

Following the success of The Day Of The Jackal, Forsyth went on to write several other best-selling novels, including The Odessa File. He had recently collaborated with fellow writer Tony Kent on a new book, Revenge of Odessa, set to be released later this year.