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 Chadwick in Leeds-born Kay’s show Fat Friends, said she was “completely shocked” in a moving statement.
Kay is survived by husband Anthony and the couple’s daughters, Corrie and Dancing on Ice star Gaynor Faye and TV producer Yvonne Francas. She died at the weekend.
Welsh star Ruth said this morning: “I am completely shocked to hear the news of Kay’s untimely death.
“Her contribution to British television was outstanding and I feel privileged to have worked with her.
“Such a down-to-earth, funny, big-hearted person whose brilliance lay in seeing the extraordinary in the day-to-day.
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“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.
“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.
“British television has lost one of its greats. Thank you Kay for all that you gave us. I cannot believe you’ve gone.
“My thoughts are with Anthony, Yvonne and Gaynor and all the family at this unconscionably sad time.”
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Sir Lenny, who starred in Kay’s hit series The Syndicate, tweeted: “I was saddened to hear that Kay Mellor has died.
“I was lucky to work with her on The Syndicate and found her to be incredibly creative, funny and instinctive.
“She knew what she wanted and knew how to get the best from us as actors. She will be missed. Condolences to her family.”
It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk writer Russell T Davies said: “I think of her always when I’m writing.”
“She mentored so many,” he said.
“What a talent. What a power. What a joy.”
Such a down-to-earth, funny, big-hearted person whose brilliance lay in seeing the extraordinary in the day-to-day
Lisa Riley, who played Rebecca Patterson in Fat Friends, tweeted: “What a massive shock to hear this news, you have been taken far, far, far too young.”
Kay’s death was announced this morning by a spokesperson from her production company Rollem Productions.
In a statement, they 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.
She then created award-winning children’s drama Children’s Ward and wrote BBC One’s women’s football series Playing The Field.
SADNESS AS STAR DIES
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.
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 Band of Gold, which ran from 1995 to 1997, and a number of feature films, including Girls Night.
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.
‘VOICE OF THE NORTH’
Despite her huge successes, Kay had a difficult childhood and witnessed domestic abuse growing up.
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.”
After having both of her daughters by her 20th birthday, Kay was inspired to write for TV after attending night school in her late 20s. She took an A-level in theatre studies.
Shameless and Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon is also 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.”
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.”
