The family of Carla Lane have paid tribute to the award-winning television writer following her death on Tuesday.
The Liverpool screenwriter, who was behind Liver Birds and Bread, and many other sitcoms including Butterflies, The Last Song and The Mistress, passed away at a nursing home on May 31, aged 87.
Her family said in a statement: “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.
“We were very lucky that her quick wit, determination and passion brought Liverpool to life on screen for others to share.”
Portrait of the stars attending the Ladies of Television luncheon; (L-R front) Hilary Tindell, Julia Goodman, Carla Lane, Nerys Hughes and Polly James, (L-R centre) Jean Anderson, Gabrielle Drake and Jennifer Wilson, (L-R back) Diana Coupland, Dilys Watling and Jean Marsh, in London, May 20th 1974.
Ms Lane, born Romana Barrack, became a household name through her hit series', having risen to fame with The Liver Birds and Bread.
Bread, which focused on the extended Boswell family from Liverpool, aired for seven series between 1986 and 1991. The Liver Birds ran from 1969 to 1978 before returning briefly in 1996.
Lane, who was also known for her animal rights activism, was forced to sell her animal sanctuary in 2008 because of financial difficulty. She had looked after some 1,000 animals at her manor house in Hayward's Heath, Sussex for 15 years.
From left to right, writer Carla Lane and actresses Nerys Hughes and Polly James of British sitcom 'The Liver Birds' attend a 'Ladies of Television' luncheon in London, 20th May 1974. Lane won the award for Best Comedy Television Show Written Specially for a Female Star, while Hughes and James were also honoured for their acting roles.
Sad to hear about Carla Lane. Bread was always a favourite in the Holdsworth household.
— Lisa Holdsworth (@WorksWithWords) 31 May 2016
I based my entire teenage years on 'Our Adrian'. The Boswells were compulsive viewing in our household. Fantastic writer, Carla Lane. RIP.
— Bateman (@Bateman1972) 31 May 2016
I based my entire teenage years on 'Our Adrian'. The Boswells were compulsive viewing in our household. Fantastic writer, Carla Lane. RIP.
— Bateman (@Bateman1972) 31 May 2016
#RIP Writer Carla Lane OBE among her lasting legacy The Liver Birds, Bread, Butterflies, Solo and many others 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/2JLzZXLLlB
— Graeme Wood (@woodg31) 31 May 2016
So sad... One of our finest sitcom writers, Carla Lane has died at the age of 87. Growing up I adored Butterflies and Bless This House. #RIP
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) 31 May 2016
Sad to hear passing of writer Carla Lane aged 87. Over 250 shows written inc Butterflies, Bread & The Liver Birds. pic.twitter.com/CRPclKC38o
— Morris Bright (@Morris__Bright) 31 May 2016
