Kay Mellor cast a shadow in the television world after it was announced that she died aged 71 last weekend.
The actress, scriptwriter and director created hit series such as ITV ’s Girlfriends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate.
She was also best-known for penning the series Fat Friends, which aired from 2000 until 2005 and was also turned into a musical.
Mellor kickstarted many people's careers and helped people become mainstream in the industry thanks to her hit shows.
James Corden is one of the many people who has Mellor to thank for being discovered.
Fat Friends starred Corden, Ruth Jones, Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman, and Gaynor Faye.
Four of them, thanks to their popularity, went on to star in the well-loved television series Gavin & Stacey.
Corden, who played the role of Jamie Rymer, was only 22-years-old when he landed his role in Fat Friends and starred in it until 2005.
Before that, he had small parts in the likes of Hollyoaks, Renford Rejects, Boyz Unlimited, and Out of Tune.
He even received a nomination for the 2000 Royal Television Society Award for Network Newcomer On Screen for his work on the show.
Clearly, the love people had for his character worked in his favour as he ended up in America hosting his very own late-night talk show.
He also did extremely well on stage and received rave reviews for his work in One Man, Two Guvnors on the West End.
Not to mention he's also featured in a number of huge Hollywood movies since jetting off to the states such as Into the Woods, Cats and Peter Rabbit.
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In 2015 it was also revealed that he would host US chat show, The Late Late Show, where he has since interviewed a number of stars and created hit sketches.
Recently it was confirmed he was set to leave his role after a brilliant and fun-filled run.
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for Mellor after her sad passing was confirmed.
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 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 star Jones paid tribute to Mellor and thanked her for helping her with her career.
"She was a great mentor to me when I first started writing – and always hugely encouraging of new writers – a real testament to the idea of paying it forward," she said.
"Her series Fat Friends was a massive turning point in my career and I will be eternally grateful to her for what she did for me."
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