Fat Friends writer Kay Mellor has died at the age of 71.
The Leeds born talent, who also wrote ITV’s Girlfriends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate, died suddenly on Sunday.
A spokesperson for Kay's 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.”
Fat Friends aired from 2000 until 2005 and was turned into a musical.
Kay wrote plays and worked on Coronation Street as well as creating the award-winning children's drama Children's Ward.
She also created BBC One's women's football series Playing The Field and received an OBE in 2010.
The BBC's chief content officer, Charlotte Moore said: “Kay was an outstanding writer and the creative force behind many of the nation’s best loved dramas. She wrote with such heart, humanity, humour and passion with strong female characters often taking centre stage”
One fan said: 'An absolute giant of British television. That first season of Playing The Field - an incredible cast telling a gripping, moving, funny story of working class life. Glorious."
Another added: "Oh my goodness, this is so so sad - what a huge huge loss. RIP Kay."
Kay is survived by husband Anthony their two daughters, TV producer Yvonne Francas and actress Gaynor Faye, and her four grandchildren.
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