BBC Beyond Paradise star opens up on husband’s ‘d.e.a.t.h sentence’ after bombshell diagnosis
Barbara Flynn, who starred in Beyond Paradise, has opened up about her late husband Jeremy Taylor's d.e.a.t.h from pancreatic cancer, and how he was given just six weeks to live
‘Beyond Paradise’ star Barbara Flynn has opened up about husband Jeremy Taylor’s d.e.a.t.h due to pancreatic cancer, only six weeks following his diagnosis. Barbara, a passionate advocate for Pancreatic Cancer UK, aims to cast light on the devastating illness that claimed her life partner.
Barbara and Jeremy’s paths crossed in North London, finding each other at a Camden Town party, and subsequently exchanged vows in 1982, welcoming their son Linus eight years later. Jeremy’s startling demise came in July 2017, a mere month and a half after discovering his condition.
Sharing her motivation for supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK, Barbara revealed: “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.” Her husband’s illness was caught alarmingly late in 2017, and he showed few symptoms early on.
“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,” reports the Express.
Highlighting a grim reality, 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 d.e.a.t.h sentence.” Echoing the difficulties faced by those nearing the end of their lives, Barbara 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 star then described how her late husband had considerable discussions with Naureen Starling, a medical doctor at the hospital where Jeremy received care.
Barbara said: “She couldn’t help him, unfortunately, because it was too late,” adding, “Any kind of intervention would have killed him. So, no chemo, no nothing, which was devastating for him, and for us.”
Following Jeremy’s d.e.a.t.h, Barbara has joined forces with Pancreatic Cancer UK, taking up the role of ambassador to the organization. As the London Marathon approaches, the charity has orchestrated a remarkable gesture to underscore and bring attention to the terrible illness.
Pancreatic Cancer UK has revealed an impactful arrangement called Shoes of Hope beside the River Thames, aiming to shed light on the harsh reality of pancreatic cancer as the London Marathon looms, and calling for governmental action on early diagnosis studies.
The installation at Potters Fields Park displays 797 pairs of running trainers – contributions from celebrities, survivors, grieving relatives, and supporters, including shoes from individuals who succumbed to the illness.
Each set symbolises the monthly toll of pancreatic cancer in the UK, marking the human cost of this harrowing condition.
Barbara expressed her hopes, stating: “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 also reflected on the symbolic impact of their initiative: “That is a wonderful thing to think about, that these shoes are indicating that’s the number of people who die every month.”
