Kay Mellor dead: Fat Friends and The Syndicate writer dies aged 71 as tributes paid to television drama legend
MOVING tributes have been paid to actor and screenwriter Kay Mellor after her sudden death.
Leeds-born Kay, who was best-known for writing Fat Friends and The Syndicate, died on Sunday at the age of 71.
She is survived by husband Anthony and the couple’s daughters, Corrie and Dancing on Ice star Gaynor Faye and TV producer Yvonne Francas.
A spokesperson from Rollem Productions said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague Kay Mellor on Sunday, May 15.
“We have lost a phenomenal talent and a true luminary. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time.”
Kay began her career writing for Coronation Street and Brookside in the 1980s.
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She then created award-winning children’s drama Children’s Ward and wrote BBC One’s women’s football series Playing The Field.
Many TV fans will know her best for Fat Friends, which ran from 2000 until 2005 and starred Ruth Jones and James Corden.
Kay said the actors were the “real McCoy” after launching Corden’s career when she spotted him in a Tango ad.
The show later became a musical, which toured the UK.
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In 2012, Kay wrote BBC drama The Syndicate, which returned for a fourth series in 2021. The show featured performances by Timothy Spall, Joanna Page and Lenny Henry.
In addition, she penned a number of feature films, including Girls Night, which starred Julie Walters, Brenda Blethyn and Kris Kristorfferson.
Kay also acted herself, appearing in her own adaptation of Jane Eyre back in 1997, as well as 2002 comedy drama Stan The Man.
In 2010, she was made an OBE, and in 2014 she was handed the Outstanding Contribution to Writing award at the Writers’ Guild Awards.
Two years later, she was made a fellow of the Royal Television Society.
Despite her huge successes, Kay had a difficult childhood and witnessed domestic abuse growing up.
‘VOICE OF THE NORTH’
In 2017, she told the Guardian her earliest memory was finding her mother on the floor before her father walked out.
She fell pregnant at 16 after meeting her future husband on a blind date.
Kay told the paper the pair met at a party, adding: “He looked like Ray Davies from the Kinks… We’ve been together ever since.”
The pair had one of the happiest marriages in showbiz, and Kay said: “He does everything he can to help me. He’s upset if I’m upset. He loves me and he tells me he loves me.
“When you feel you’ve got almost unconditional love, you can operate in this world so much better.”
Shameless and Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon is among those to pay tribute.
TRIBUTES TO KAY
She tweeted: “Such sad sad news about the wonderful Kay Mellor.
“She was always so lovely and kind to me… a truly brilliant lady.”
Hayley sent “thoughts and love and strength” to Gaynor.
The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, said: “I’m shocked and deeply saddened to hear that Kay Mellor has suddenly passed away.
“Kay was an outstanding writer and the creative force behind many of the nation’s best-loved television dramas.
“She wrote with such heart, humanity, humour and passion with strong female characters often taking centre stage.
“She will be missed and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.”
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West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Just dreadful news & difficult to take in. Sending all our love from everyone in West Yorkshire to Kay’s family, friends & colleagues.
“Our voice of the North, she put working class characters at the centre of her brilliant compassionate, moving & funny stories. Such a loss.”