Kay Mellor

Kay Mellor, who wrote hit TV series including Girlfriends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate, has died aged 71, it has been announced.

Devastated to hear of the passing of Dear Kay Mellor. An incredible talent in the TV world and someone who always had a warming smile on offer with open arms. Sending love & prayers to her family. Absolutely shocked & saddened to hear that Kay Mellor has passed away. "Such an inspiration & force of nature & wonderful soul. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time." You were the best boss to work for, you embraced all that is good about our industry, believing in talent.— LISA RILEY (@Reallisariley) #rip #kaymellor🥲🥲🥲 pic.twitter.com/yJDNMSVDfa May 17, 2022

The writer and actor, who received an OBE for her work in 2009, was best known for writing shows including Girlfriends and The Syndicate.

Following its cancellation, Mellor turned it into a stage musical, which went on to tour the UK and gave a stage debut to Freddie Flintoff. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.” “I would forever be saying, ‘But she would have her kids to see to.’ I could see the blank looks.” The only other woman in the room would be a secretary,” she told the Guardian in 2021. The Bradford-set programme, whose stars included Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson and Samantha Morton, ended up with its first two series being turned into novels, both of which Mellor co-wrote with author John Burke. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time.”

Kay Mellor, the writer of British dramas such as The Syndicate and Band of Gold, has passed away aged 71.

I was lucky to work with her on The Syndicate and found her to be incredibly creative , funny and instinctive. The industry reacted with shock and compassion this morning, with many taking to social media to post tributes. Her production company, Rollem Productions, released a statement confirming the news, saying: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague Kay Mellor on Sunday 15 May 2022.

Kay Mellor, who was best known for writing series including Fat Friends, The Syndicate and Band of Gold, has died at the age of 71.

We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time.” "I remember how comfortable (Mellor) made me feel when I worked with her, so clever and witty. #rip"

RUTH Jones and Lenny Henry have led tributes to actor and screenwriter Kay Mellor after her sudden death at the age of 71.Ruth, who played Kelly Chadw.

Such a loss." We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time." The pair had one of the happiest marriages in showbiz, and Kay said: "He does everything he can to help me. He loves me and he tells me he loves me. What a joy." "What a talent. She took an A-level in theatre studies. The show featured performances by Timothy Spall, Joanna Page and Lenny Henry. Condolences to her family." "She knew what she wanted and knew how to get the best from us as actors. "I was lucky to work with her on The Syndicate and found her to be incredibly creative, funny and instinctive. "Her series Fat Friends was a massive turning point in my career and I will be eternally grateful to her for what she did for me.

Kay Mellor, best known for writing series including Fat Friends, The Syndicate and Band of Gold, has died at the age of 71, a spokesperson for her TV ...

We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends at this time.” She explained: “It was such a lovely time of my life, it was a drama that was really important to me because I thought I had something to say about weight and body image.” Mellor appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2017 and chose The Beautiful South’s Perfect 10, the Fat Friends theme tune, as one of her sound tracks, saying “every time I heard that I used to get excited and get butterflies”.

Leeds-born Mellor, who was also best known for penning series including Fat Friends which aired from 2000 until 2005 and was turned into a musical, ...

Her series Fat Friends was a massive turning point in my career and I will be eternally grateful to her for what she did for me. 'She was a great mentor to me when I first started writing - and always hugely encouraging of new writers - a real testament to the idea of paying it forward. I went to Fat Friends The Musical last year; sold out, an audience laughing and roaring and sobbing, an audience that gets left behind by everyone else. And a sigh went round the auditorium. You were the best boss to work for, you embraced all that is good about our industry, believing in talent.' She had an unshakeable belief in story, story, story, I think of her always when I'm writing. 'Her contribution to British television was outstanding and I feel privileged to have worked with her. She added: 'One thing I've thought about, but haven't done, is some sort of big community show and I like the idea of setting up a writing/ acting academy for young people. I'd pay off my family and friends' mortgages, give money to the NSPCC, animal welfare and care for the elderly. A spokesman 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 May 15. She added: 'In the late 1970s when I was in my 20s. Her work helped transformed the careers of many young British stars including James Corden, Jude Law, Samantha Morton and Ruth Jones, who said today: 'British television has lost one of its greats'.

Screen-writer, actress and director Kay Mellor has died at the age of 71. The news was announced on the morning of Tuesday 17 May by her TV production ...

She knew what she wanted and knew how to get the best from us as actors. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the family and friends.” So very sad.” She was also the executive producer on BBC’s The Chase, which her mother and sister co-wrote, and In The Club (2014 - 2016), which her mother wrote. “ I was lucky to work with her on the Syndicate and found her to be incredibly creative , funny and instinctive. “Kay was an outstanding writer and the creative force behind many of the nation’s best-loved television dramas. She is best known for her roles in two of the country’s best loved ITV soaps. The couple had two daughters, television producer Yvonne Francas, who was born in 1968, and actress Gaynor Faye, who was born in 1971. Band of Gold was also adapted for the theatre and toured the UK from 2019 until the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK in March 2020. Mellor, who was given an OBE for her services to drama in 2010, was known to be proud of her Yorkshire roots. So, who was Kay Mellor, what was she most well-known for and who is her daughter Gaynor Faye? Kay Mellor, best known for writing series including Fat Friends, The Syndicate and Band of Gold, has died at the age of 71, a spokesperson for her TV production company Rollem Productions said.