Band of Gold writer Kay Mellor has died aged 71, it has been announced. Mellor who was also best known for penning hit seres including Fat Friends which aired from 2000 until 2005, died on Sunday (May 15).
A spokesperson for her TV production company, 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 15th May 2022.
"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."
Mellor began her her career writing plays, worked on Coronation Street and created the award-winning children’s drama Children’s Ward. She also wrote BBC One’s women’s football series Playing The Field and in 2010 received an OBE.
The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, paid tribute to Kay Mellor following her death. In a statement, 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."
Mellor's daughter Gaynor Faye is also an actress having appeared in Coronation Street as Judy Mallett from 1995 until 1999 and Megan Macey in Emmerdale from 2012 until 2019 as well as her mum's show Fat Friends and more recently The Syndicate.
Fat Friends focused on the members of a slimming group in Leeds, and starred James Corden, Ruth Jones, and Alison Steadman who went on to appear together in Corden and Jones' series Gavin & Stacey. The hit programme was recently turned into a musical, touring the country with the likes of Freddie Flintoff in major roles.
Mellor and her husband Anthony were married in 1968 and have two daughters, actress Gaynor, and television producer Yvonne Francas.
