DUTY FREE’S KEITH BARRON DIES AT 83
Co-star Gwen Taylor leads tributes to 1980s TV favourite
KEITH Barron, who starred in some of Britain’s bestloved TV shows, has died at the age of 83.
The actor and comedian passed away after a short illness, his agent confirmed yesterday.
He starred in hit programmes including Coronation Street, Casualty, Doctors, Holby City and Benidorm.
But he will be best remembered for 1980s sitcom Duty Free, in which he starred as gruff Northerner David Pearce alongside Gwen Taylor as his wife Amy.
Gwen led the emotional tributes to her former on-screen husband yesterday, saying his death was “quite a blow”.
She said: “I have just heard the news my old friend and colleague has died.
“Keith was such a kind and lovely man and I don’t think I’ve met anyone who would disagree.
“My thoughts and prayers go to his loving wife Mary and his son Jamie, who meant so much to him.” A statement from Barron’s agent said: “He had a long and varied career, which included The Nigel Barton Plays by Dennis Potter, of which he was immensely proud.
“He also appreared in a Hollywood film, The Land That Time Forgot, the television series Take Me Home, written by Tony Marchant, and three series of Duty Free, the Yorkshire Television classic sitcom written by Eric Chappell, in which he played David Pearce.
“He is survived by his wife Mary, to whom he was married for 58 years, and his son, Jamie, also an actor.”
Sunetra Sarker – who starred with Barron in Casualty – said on Twitter: “So sad to hear of dear friend Keith Barron passing away.
“One of a kind. Guaranteed laughter. Shall never forget those days.”
Barron was born in Mexborough, south Yorkshire, in 1934 and, instead of going into the family wholesale food business, he opted to become an actor.
Having initially trained at the Sheffield Playhouse – where he met his wife Mary Pickard – he went on to work in repertory theatre and the West End.
Following his TV debut in The Avengers in 1961, Barron become a household name, appearing in many popular programmes. He starred in police series The Odd Man and spin-off It’s Dark Outside.
But it was his role as Nigel Barton in Dennis Potter’s plays Stand Up, Nigel Barton and Vote, Vote, Vote For Nigel Barton in 1965 which was his real breakthrough.
His role in 1980s sitcom Duty Free will perhaps be the most fondly remembered by his fans. The series ran from 1984 until 1986 and also starred Joanna Van Gyseghem and Neil Stacy.
Barron was rarely out of work – something he once confessed was a “bit masochistic”.
He said in 2003: “If I’m out of work, I’m terrible. I’m no good to anyone. If I go out, I’m all the time wondering whether the phone’s rung while I’ve been out. And if I sit in waiting for it to ring, I’m like a bear with a sore head wondering why it hasn’t.”
Chairman of Elstree Studios Morris Bright said last night: “Deeply saddened at passing of the great actor Keith Barron. A true gentleman.”