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James Corden praises Kay Mellor for 'changing his life' in heartfelt tribute

James Corden praised Kay Mellor for changing his life as he paid tribute to the late TV powerhouse on Tuesday.

Mellor, who was best known for creating and writing TV shows such as Band of Gold, Fat Friends and The Syndicate, passed away on Sunday aged 71.

Fat Friends, about slimming club members, ran from 2000 to 2005 and gave a young Corden his first major acting role, and he praised Mellor for giving him his big break on Instagram on Tuesday.

"She was the most generous, kind and loving person. An exceptionally gifted writer. She changed my life when she cast me in Fat Friends on ITV," he wrote. "She saw something in me that no one had before that point. She gave so many people their first chances. I have the fondest memories of being on set with her. She will be missed by so many. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time."

His Fat Friends co-star Ruth Jones told the PA news agency that she was "eternally grateful" to Mellor for the impact she had on 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 in a statement. "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. British television has lost one of its greats. Thank you Kay for all that you gave us. I cannot believe you've gone."

After meeting on Fat Friends, Corden and Jones famously went on to create, write and star in the popular TV sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Their Fat Friends co-stars Sheridan Smith and Alison Steadman also appeared in the show.

Mellor's cause of death has not been disclosed. She is survived by her husband Anthony and their two daughters - television producer Yvonne Francas and Corrie and Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye.