The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stars pay tribute to Kay Mellor
Stars from the world of TV and beyond have paid tribute to screenwriter Kay Mellor, hailed as “our voice of the North”, following her death aged 71.
The actress, director and writer of prolific TV shows like The Syndicate, Fat Friends, Band Of Gold and more, died on Sunday, a spokesperson for her TV production company Rollem Productions said.
A statement 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 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.”
It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk writer Russell T Davies wrote on an Instagram post: “Kay Mellor has died. Creator of Band Of Gold, Fat Friends, Children’s Ward, The Syndicate, and so much more. I adored her. She taught me so much. And she was hilarious!
“She had an unshakeable belief in story, story, story, I think of her always when I’m writing. 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.
“What a talent. What a power. What a joy. Christ, she was funny. I love you Kay”.
Barbara Dickson, who starred as Anita Braithwaite in Band Of Gold, tweeted: “I am heartbroken to hear the news Kay has died. She was an inspirational writer and a huge influence on me. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin paid tribute to the Leeds-born writer on Twitter, saying: “Just dreadful news & difficult to take in. Sending all our love from everyone in #westyorkshire 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.”
Mellor, who was awarded the Bafta Dennis Potter award in 1998 for outstanding writing for television, was also remembered by the independent arts charity who tweeted: “We’re saddened to hear that Kay Mellor, the hugely influential Bafta-winning writer, actor and director whose hit TV series include Fat Friends, Band Of Gold and Playing The Field, has died.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends”.
Actress Katherine Rose Morley, who led the cast of series four of The Syndicate, the drama series from Mellor about different betting syndicates that win the lottery, said on Twitter: “I am in complete shock and utterly heartbroken to hear about Kay Mellor.
“She showed me so much kindness from the moment we met and she made everyone’s lives that bit brighter.
“I’m honoured to have known her and even more grateful for the opportunity she gave me. Always in my (heart).”