Barry Taylor, 68, from Thurrock in Essex, died from a glioblastoma in January 2026, just five weeks after being diagnosed. A grandfather of seven, Barry started to suffer from headaches and periods of confusion. He was told radiotherapy was the only viable treatment option but before treatment could start, scans showed there had been too much progression. Barry’s daughter, Dixie, recently ran the Maidstone 10K to raise money for Brain Tumour Research in his memory.
Here is Barry’s story, as told by his daughter Dixie…
Dad was everything you would want a dad to be.
He had a heart of gold and he was so selfless, not just for us as a father but in general. Everybody liked him because he was such a great guy. There was a real presence when he walked in the room; it wasn’t a cocky presence, he was just ‘the man’.
As a kid, I idolised him; there was nothing I wouldn't do for him, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for me. He would go to the end of the earth for his children. Dad and I had a connection and a loyalty to one another - we had each other’s backs.
As well as referring to him as Dad, he was also the boss, the geezer, and he was genuinely my best friend. In birthday and Christmas cards I'd always refer to him as my mum, my dad, my best friend, and my boss, because he was all those things.
What a lucky girl I was to have just one person who encompassed all that.
In November 2025, Dad started suffering from excruciating headaches and confusion. He was acting out of character, being a bit childish and he didn’t recognise some people during meetings.
His GP sent him to an ear, nose and throat specialist at Thurrock Community Hospital. Just to be cautious, they sent Dad for a CT scan which showed there was a mass on his brain.
I was petrified. I idolised Dad. I just couldn't believe he had a brain tumour. He was such a strong man, and he was my safe place.
I could never imagine him to be vulnerable, so seeing him like that was really hard.
Dad was sent to A&E at Basildon University Hospital and was put on steroids to reduce the swelling on his brain. When you think of cancer, you think that the person is going to get skinny and waste away, but I think it's also important to mention for families to expect the swelling and the weight gain from the steroids, which is what happened to Dad.
Dad had a full body scan; a few weeks later, we went to get the results.
When I saw the image, my heart sank. There were two tumours which were joined to one another like a web.
The consultant said that, even without doing a biopsy, he could say it was aggressive and most likely a grade four, which the biopsy confirmed.
With the utmost courage, Dad agreed to proceed with radiotherapy, after being told chemotherapy would not be effective. Just over a week before treatment was due to start, we received the devastating call that treatment was being withdrawn as the latest markers showed that hospice care was now the only option.
It was awful having that lifeline taken away.
Dad was cared for at home by his family. He died on 25th January 2026.
With so many illnesses and diseases, there are cures but we don’t have that for brain tumours. It's like passing a bullet over and saying you have to surrender. With other types of cancer, there's so many pieces of hope you can grab onto these days but for Dad it was like he was signed off the moment he got the diagnosis. We got bad news after bad news. It is a devastating disease.
The battle was short and gruelling but, in true Barry style, he handled it with strength, courage, charm, and determination.
I sat and watched in shock as this cancer stripped my dad away, one slow day at a time.
Dad founded the painting and decorating company A&B Group 40 years ago and purchased Dulux paint throughout that time, building really good friendships within the Dulux team. As part of its 40-year celebrations in November 2025, Dulux dedicated a custom paint colour to him, called Bazza Blue, inspired by the colour of his piercing blue eyes.
It was such a lovely gesture. Everyone always said what an awesome man Dad was; his eyes, personality and heart completely matched all that so it was a really fitting gesture.
When Dad was told about ‘Bazza Blue’ he really choked up and said, "What a legacy for me”.
Looking back now, at how the next few months panned out, it was a really poignant moment because we had no inkling Dad had a brain tumour. Just a few weeks later, he was diagnosed.
On Sunday 5th July, I ran the Maidstone 10k with my friend Ellie Conway, raising more than £2,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
It was an amazing day, but it was also very emotional as I thought of Dad. I’m sure he would be as proud as punch.
Dad was truly one in a million, an idol, a gentleman, a legend. He will be missed more than words can explain. He will be remembered for his big heart and brilliant blue eyes.
In his legacy, I will spend the rest of my life helping to find a cure for this disease that can rip patients and families apart in weeks. If I can contribute a little bit to help others avoid what I’ve gone through, then I’ll do whatever I can, because I know how hard it is to be a daddy's girl and watch your dad just drift away.
Dixie Taylor
July 2026
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been touched by Barry’s story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.
