Beyond Paradise star’s husband died 6 weeks after cancer diagnosis after only showing one symptom

Beyond Paradise actress Barbara Flynn has shared the poignant story of her husband Jeremy Taylor’s devastating loss to pancreatic cancer, which claimed his life just six weeks after diagnosis. In an exclusive interview with Reach PLC, as a Pancreatic Cancer UK ambassador, Barbara is dedicated to heightening awareness about this aggressive illness that robbed her of her partner.

Barbara and Jeremy first met in north London at a social gathering in Camden Town. Following their marriage in 1982, they celebrated the birth of their son Linus in 1990.

But tragically, shortly following his diagnosis in July 2017, Jeremy died. The esteemed actress discussed her motivation for supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK: “A lot of people who are involved with pancreatic cancer have had a personal experience with this dreaded disease, and that’s how I became involved.”

Reflecting on the difficult detection of pancreatic cancer, Barbara admitted Jeremy only showed signs of bad digestion: “My husband was diagnosed in 2017 very late, and the symptoms are quite asymptomatic. That’s the trouble. He always had bad indigestion, but actually, that was how we discovered where he was, and he was very, very far along with the disease.”

Highlighting the grim reality patients face due to underresearched treatment options, she stated: “This is the main problem that people do not survive, and the research is limited because of that, and in a way, it is a death sentence,” reports the Express.

Barbara acknowledged the challenge for patients and families when she added: “You know, people don’t necessarily want to spend their remaining time helping, do you know what I mean? It is a difficult situation.

“He [Jeremy] would have, but he only had six weeks, unfortunately, which was very, very cruel. He didn’t know an awful lot about the disease because he was a science writer and had made very, very many horizons and was scientifically pretty adept.

“So he did know, and he was a very generous man and, therefore, would have shared everything.”

The Beyond Paradise actress further explained that her late husband spent considerable time conversing with Naureen Starling, a doctor at the hospital where Jeremy received treatment.

“She couldn’t help him, unfortunately, because it was too late,” Barbara revealed. “Any kind of intervention would have killed him. So, no chemo, no nothing, which was devastating for him, and for us.”

Following Jeremy’s passing, Barbara has joined forces with Pancreatic Cancer UK and taken on the role of ambassador for the charity. In the run-up to the London Marathon, the charity has undertaken a unique initiative to spotlight and raise awareness of this terrible disease.

Pancreatic Cancer UK has launched Shoes of Hope, a poignant installation along the River Thames. It underscores the heartbreaking impact of pancreatic cancer ahead of the London Marathon and calls on the government to invest in early-detection research.

The exhibit at Potters Fields Park showcases 797 running shoes donated by celebrities, survivors, bereaved families, and supporters, including the trainers of those who have passed away.

Each pair symbolises the number of lives claimed by the disease every month in the UK.

Barbara expressed their appreciation for the marathon, saying, “We just hope that everyone can embrace this amazing, great race that happens. Because we’re honoured to be affiliated with the marathon, and we hope to save as many people as are running in that race.”

She reflected on their initiative by adding, “That is a wonderful thing to think about, that these shoes are indicating that’s the number of people who die every month.”