REST IN PEACE 'I WAS NEVER FEARFUL - I HAD A LOT OF LIFE EXPERIENCE'

THE TOUGH BEGINNINGS OF TALENTED WRITER AND DIRECTOR KAY MELLOR LED TO HER INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS. HERE, WE DELVE INTO WHAT MADE HER WORK SO RELATABLE

- KIRSTY HATCHER

Celebrated TV screenwriter, director and actor Kay Mellor had a special gift for capturing the emotional nitty-gritty of everyday life. And she certainly lived through enough tough experiences of her own to colour her influential work.

The talented star became pregnant at 16 and fought hard to raise a young family while following her dreams.

Kay, who died suddenly on 15 May at the age of 71, was best known as the creator and writer of hit TV series Band Of Gold, Fat Friends, Girlfriends and The Syndicate. Her big, warm and sometimes shocking storylines delved into families and relationships, especially the strong bonds between women.

The star and her two brothers were raised by their “affectionate and loving” mother, Dinah, on a Leeds housing estate. Of her parents’ marriage, Kay told The Big Issue, “It was a very violent break-up. Those images don’t go away, ever. You will remember them all your life. When my dad came back into my life when I was 21, I found it difficult to make a relationship with him.”

Kay’s hard-working mother was a huge inspiration, making her daughter believe she could achieve anything she wanted, but that didn’t include either drama school or having a baby at the age of 16.