Kay Mellor, the writer behind hit series including Fat Friends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate, has died aged 71.
Leeds-born Mellor was perhaps best known for writing the Bafta-nominated show Fat Friends, which aired on ITV from 2000 until 2005.
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.
Mellor and her husband Anthony were married in 1968 and have two daughters, actor Faye and television producer Yvonne Francas.