Kay Mellor: Fat Friends and Band of Gold writer dies aged 71
Screenwriter is remembered for her ‘heart, humanity, humour and passion’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kay Mellor, the writer behind hit series including Fat Friends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate, has died aged 71.
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 15 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.”
Leeds-born Mellor was perhaps best known for writing the Bafta-nominated show Fat Friends, which aired on ITV from 2000 until 2005. It followed a slimming group in Leeds and starred James Corden, Ruth Jones and Alison Steadman, who later went on to star in Gavin & Stacey together.
Mellor reportedly cast Corden after seeing him in a Tango advert, requesting that casting director Beverley Keogh find him because she thought he was perfect for the series.
Mellor started out her career as a playwright, before working on Coronation Street and creating the award-winning kids’ drama Children’s Ward.
She also wrote BBC One’s women’s football series Playing the Field and received an OBE for services to drama in 2010.
On BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2017, Mellor chose the Fat Friends theme tune, The Beautiful South’s “Perfect 10”, as one of her discs, saying that “every time I heard that I used to get excited and get butterflies”.
She added: “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 also had a career as an actor, and appeared in her own Nineties adaptation of Jane Eyre and in other series such as the comedy drama Stan the Man, A Good Thief and Gifted.
The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, said in a statement: “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.”
He added: “She will be missed and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.”
Mellor and her husband Anthony were married in 1968 and have two daughters, actor Faye and television producer Yvonne Francas.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments