Kay Mellor's key role in creation of Gavin & Stacey as legendary screenwriter dies aged 71

The TV world has paid tribute to Kay Mellor, after the sad news of the screenwriter's death died at age 71. Kay was best known for her Bafta-nominated TV programme, Fat Friends, which stole the hearts of the nation in the early noughties.The drama was set in Kay's hometown, Leeds, and focused on the members of a slimming group. And as well as being a fantastic show in its own right, Fat Friends helped bring another British classic to our screens – Gavin and Stacey.

If it wasn't for Kay Mellor's comedy, the creative minds behind the Billericay and Barry Island-based BBC hit may never have met. James Corden and Ruth Jones, the writers behind the comedy show, and Alison Steadman – who plays everyone's favourite Essex mum, Pam – met on the set of Fat Friends in 2000. Ruth, 55 and James, 43 first started discussing the idea for the show on the third series of Kay Mellor's hit programme.

In an interview with the British Comedy Guide, Ruth said: "We became friends during filming, and, when we were doing series three, James was talking about this idea he and his girlfriend had about a wedding that takes place between a guy from Essex and a girl from Barry Island. "I thought it sounded brilliant, and we'd sit in the hotel bar where we were staying and look around, because there was always a function going on, and we'd pick out character that might be at this wedding and improvise what they might say." Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter. You can sign up at the top of the page.