Sybilla Hart's childhood in Bisley, a quaint Cotswolds village, was anything but ordinary. Her real-life experiences in the 1980s made the fictional escapades of Jilly Cooper's 'Rivals' seem tame in comparison. Hart shares vivid memories of her upbringing, filled with lavish weekend activities at the Badminton Horse Trials, extravagant dinner parties, hunt balls, charity discos, and even daring escapes from boarding school.

Growing Up in the Real Rutshire

Hart's recollections paint a picture of a lively and indulgent lifestyle. She fondly remembers the champagne-popping parties and the myriad of indiscretions that were routine in her social circle. These real-life antics felt eerily familiar when she watched the first series of 'Rivals,' as if her own life was unfolding on screen in high definition.

Memories of Jilly Cooper

Hart also shares anecdotes about the renowned author Jilly Cooper, who would giggle gleefully at her stories. It's possible that these tales inspired some of the Rutshire chronicles that Cooper is famous for. The infamous Pippa Middleton photograph is another memorable moment from Hart's past, adding to the colorful tapestry of her upbringing.

Comparing Real Life to Fiction

Despite the similarities, Hart's real-life experiences in the Cotswolds were even more dramatic than the fictional world of 'Rivals.' Her stories of affairs, dinner parties, hunt balls, charity discos, dogs, horses, and boarding school escapes highlight the unique and often wild nature of growing up in the real Rutshire during the 1980s.