One of Britain’s best comedy writers Carla Lane has died aged 87. Born Romana Barrack and raised in Liverpool, among her best-loved comedies were The Liver Birds, Bread and Butterflies in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Liver Birds was revolutionary for its time, as it followed the life of Beryl and Sandra, and two unmarried women flatmates in Liverpool, played by Nerys Hughes and Polly James, who lived and had fun together. Bread was also set in Liverpool and featured the antics of the Boswell family who ducked and dived to survive. And Butterflies, starring Wendy Craig and Nicholas Lyndhurst, followed the anguish of a married woman in a loveless marriage.
Carla later became a strong animal rights activist, setting up the Carla Lane Animals In Need Sanctuary.
Carla’s family today confirmed that she passed away at Stapely Care Home and paid tribute to her "quick wit, determination and passion which brought Liverpool to life on screen for others to share.
"With heavy hearts we said goodbye to our darling Carla today. But with smiles on our faces we also take this opportunity to reflect on her incredible achievements all of which make us so unbelievably proud to be part of her family."
Piers Morgan tweeted: "RIP Carla Lane, who made us all laugh."
Actress Melanie Hill, who played Aveline in Bread and starred in long-running school TV drama Waterloo Road, tweeted: "Very sad to hear #CarlaLane has left us. Writer and creator of many fantastic shows @BBCOne #bread #Aveline."
