# Gaynor Faye
**Gaynor Faye** (birth name Gaynor Kay Mellor) is an English actress, writer, and producer, born in 1971 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, best known for playing Judy Mallett in *Coronation Street* and Megan Macey in *Emmerdale*, and for her work in Yorkshire-set dramas written by her mother, the television writer [Kay Mellor](https://www.edgepedia.org/kay-mellor).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1971, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England; birth name Gaynor Kay Mellor[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/) |
| Signature TV roles | Judy Mallett in *Coronation Street* (1995–1999); Megan Macey in *Emmerdale* (from 2012)[2](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51303/gaynor-faye) |
| Writing | Wrote and acted in the series *Fat Friends*[4](https://www.thejc.com/news/gaynor-faye-to-join-emmerdale-cast-v7b8jhoz) |
| Reality television | Winner of the inaugural series of *Dancing on Ice* in 2006[5](https://www.totalmk.co.uk/theatre/on-stage-band-of-gold-star-gaynor-faye-talks-theatre-with-total-mk) |
| Production role | Creative managing director of Rollem Productions, the Yorkshire company founded by her mother, Kay Mellor[6](https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/speaker/gaynor-faye/) |
| Recent work | Lead role as Geri in the feature film *Hot Flash*, filmed on the Yorkshire coast and set for autumn 2026 release[7](https://he.patient.info/features/hormones/gaynor-faye-on-hot-flash-menopause-and-why-midlife-women-deserve-to-be-seen) |
| Recognition | Honorary Master of Arts from CU Scarborough, presented 30 September 2026[8](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710) |
## Early life and family
Faye was born in Leeds, the second daughter of the screenwriter Kay Mellor and Anthony Mellor, a mechanic.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/) • [9](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/faye_gaynor.html) Her sister is Yvonne Francas.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/) She took A-level theater studies before becoming an actor, and has said that playing Dorothy in *Gregory's Girl* at high school, where she enjoyed hearing the audience's reactions, convinced her that theater was her calling.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend) • [5](https://www.totalmk.co.uk/theatre/on-stage-band-of-gold-star-gaynor-faye-talks-theatre-with-total-mk)
Her career has run alongside her mother's work. *Playing the Field* and *Fat Friends*, two of her best-known early dramas, were written by Kay Mellor, and Faye both acted in and wrote for *Fat Friends*.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend) • [4](https://www.thejc.com/news/gaynor-faye-to-join-emmerdale-cast-v7b8jhoz) She has been married to Mark Pickering since 1 July 2000, and they have two children, Oliver and Lily Mae.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/)
## Television career
**Coronation Street.** Faye joined *Coronation Street* on 2 October 1995 as Judy Mallett, appearing opposite Ian Mercer, with whom she had previously worked on *Peak Practice*; the characters moved into number 9 as the street's new neighbors.[9](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/faye_gaynor.html) She played the role until 1999.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend)
**Between the soaps.** After leaving Weatherfield she appeared in a series of dramas, including *Playing the Field* (as Holly), *Fat Friends* (as Lauren), *The Chase* (as Anna), two roles in *Casualty*, *Murder in Mind*, *Dani's House*, and *Mayo*.[10](https://cam.co.uk/talent/gaynor-faye/) In 2006 she won the first series of the ITV skating competition *Dancing on Ice*.[5](https://www.totalmk.co.uk/theatre/on-stage-band-of-gold-star-gaynor-faye-talks-theatre-with-total-mk)
**Emmerdale.** In October 2011 it was announced that Faye would join the cast of *Emmerdale* as Megan Macey, an ambitious newcomer at Home Farm, with her episodes beginning at the start of the following year.[4](https://www.thejc.com/news/gaynor-faye-to-join-emmerdale-cast-v7b8jhoz) She described the part as quite different from most of her previous roles, and said that filming in Leeds, her home town, was an added attraction.[4](https://www.thejc.com/news/gaynor-faye-to-join-emmerdale-cast-v7b8jhoz) She remained with the soap for several years before leaving late in 2019 to take the role of Rose in the stage version of *Band of Gold*.[5](https://www.totalmk.co.uk/theatre/on-stage-band-of-gold-star-gaynor-faye-talks-theatre-with-total-mk) She later appeared as Cheryl in series 4 of *The Syndicate* for BBC One and as Sian in *The Inheritance*.[10](https://cam.co.uk/talent/gaynor-faye/)
## Theatre
Faye's stage credits include the original West End production of *Calendar Girls*, in which she played Celia; the UK premiere and tour of *Band of Gold*, her mother's drama about Bradford women turned to prostitution, in which she played Rose; *Wuthering Heights* as Cathy for Hull Truck under director John Godber; and the stage adaptation of *The Syndicate*, in which she played Kay.[10](https://cam.co.uk/talent/gaynor-faye/)
In 2024 she directed the world premiere of Kay Mellor's final stage play, an adaptation of the first series of *The Syndicate*.[11](https://assets.ctfassets.net/le9bkneeoxws/7BKsmoQbvONZDPN8iJA1vK/7fb2e5a1a89e38ab51c1032f8504deda/HQ_BROCHURE_CARDIFF_SPRING_24_ISSUU.pdf) She has since brought the *Fat Friends* musical to the stage, continuing her mother's work after Mellor's death.[12](https://www.newsminimalist.com/articles/gaynor-faye-brings-kay-mellors-fat-friends-musical-to-life-43248834)
## Rollem Productions and producing
Rollem Productions, the independent [Yorkshire](https://www.edgepedia.org/yorkshire) production company founded by Kay Mellor (the name spells Mellor backwards), has been a family concern: Faye was formerly a director alongside her sister, father, and mother, and is now its creative managing director.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/) • [6](https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/speaker/gaynor-faye/) After her mother's death she committed to continuing the company's legacy, and through Rollem she mentors new writers and develops original projects.[8](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710) One of the company's first projects after Mellor's passing was the development of the short film *Youthless* into a returning television drama series.[13](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/news/)
## Hot Flash and recent work
In 2026 Faye returned to a leading film role for the first time in more than 26 years, her previous feature-length film having been *Fanny and Elvis*.[14](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gaynor-faye-to-star-in-new-film-which-brings-midlife-motherhood-and-menopause-to-the-silver-screen-5487902) *Hot Flash*, written and produced by Yorkshire filmmaker Jan Birley and directed by Kathryn Carmichael, is a comedy in which Faye plays Geri, a 40-something single mother and failed hairdresser who dreams of designing an app while navigating midlife and the menopause.[7](https://he.patient.info/features/hormones/gaynor-faye-on-hot-flash-menopause-and-why-midlife-women-deserve-to-be-seen) • [14](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gaynor-faye-to-star-in-new-film-which-brings-midlife-motherhood-and-menopause-to-the-silver-screen-5487902) The film was shot entirely on the Yorkshire coast, in [Scarborough](https://www.edgepedia.org/scarborough), Bridlington, Flamborough, Sewerby, and the surrounding area, with a score by the Grammy-winning Sheffield producer Eliot Kennedy, and is set for an autumn 2026 release.[7](https://he.patient.info/features/hormones/gaynor-faye-on-hot-flash-menopause-and-why-midlife-women-deserve-to-be-seen) • [15](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/in-pictures-my-day-behind-the-scenes-with-soap-queen-gaynor-faye-on-a-film-set-near-bridlington-5509946?page=2) Faye has drawn on her own experience of menopause in the role, saying she wants midlife women to feel seen and represented on screen.[14](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gaynor-faye-to-star-in-new-film-which-brings-midlife-motherhood-and-menopause-to-the-silver-screen-5487902)
She has also recently filmed an episode of the BBC's *Northumbria Mysteries*.[8](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710)
## Recognition
On 30 September 2026, Faye received an honorary [Master of Arts](https://www.edgepedia.org/master-of-arts) from CU Scarborough, part of Coventry University Group, in recognition of her contribution to the entertainment industry and her role in championing Yorkshire on screen; the award was presented at the campus's graduation ceremony.[8](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710) Jackie Mathers, the campus's Chief Academic Officer, described her as a passionate champion of the region whose work has brought authentic Yorkshire voices to national audiences.[8](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710)
## References
1. [Gaynor Faye – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/bio/)
2. [Q&A, Gaynor Faye, The Guardian (31 January 2004)](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/31/weekend7.weekend)
3. [Gaynor Faye, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51303/gaynor-faye)
4. [Gaynor Faye to join Emmerdale cast, The Jewish Chronicle (12 October 2011)](https://www.thejc.com/news/gaynor-faye-to-join-emmerdale-cast-v7b8jhoz)
5. [On Stage: Band of Gold star Gaynor Faye talks theatre, Total MK (9 March 2020)](https://www.totalmk.co.uk/theatre/on-stage-band-of-gold-star-gaynor-faye-talks-theatre-with-total-mk)
6. [Gaynor Faye, Leeds International Festival of Ideas](https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/speaker/gaynor-faye/)
7. [Gaynor Faye on Hot Flash, menopause and why midlife women deserve to be seen, Patient.info](https://he.patient.info/features/hormones/gaynor-faye-on-hot-flash-menopause-and-why-midlife-women-deserve-to-be-seen)
8. ['Dream big, go out and get it': Yorkshire actor Gaynor Faye receives honorary award from CU Scarborough, The Scarborough News (30 September 2026)](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/dream-big-go-out-and-get-it-yorkshire-actor-gaynor-faye-receives-honorary-award-from-cu-scarborough-9236710)
9. [Gaynor Faye, corrie.net actor profile](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/faye_gaynor.html)
10. [Gaynor Faye, Creative Artists Management](https://cam.co.uk/talent/gaynor-faye/)
11. [Kay Mellor's The Syndicate stage play brochure, HQ Theatre Cardiff Spring 2024](https://assets.ctfassets.net/le9bkneeoxws/7BKsmoQbvONZDPN8iJA1vK/7fb2e5a1a89e38ab51c1032f8504deda/HQ_BROCHURE_CARDIFF_SPRING_24_ISSUU.pdf)
12. [Gaynor Faye brings Kay Mellor's Fat Friends musical to life, News Minimalist (26 April 2026)](https://www.newsminimalist.com/articles/gaynor-faye-brings-kay-mellors-fat-friends-musical-to-life-43248834)
13. [Gaynor Faye – News, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269664/news/)
14. ['I thought I was losing my mind': Leeds actress Gaynor Faye to channel her experience of menopause in new film, Yorkshire Evening Post (25 January 2026)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gaynor-faye-to-star-in-new-film-which-brings-midlife-motherhood-and-menopause-to-the-silver-screen-5487902)
15. [In Pictures: Behind the scenes with Gaynor Faye on a film set near Bridlington, The Scarborough News (10 February 2026)](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/in-pictures-my-day-behind-the-scenes-with-soap-queen-gaynor-faye-on-a-film-set-near-bridlington-5509946?page=2)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Soap operas and continuing serials › British and Australasian soaps and characters › Coronation Street*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license