A dad with a “big heart and brilliant blue eyes”, who sadly passed away from a brain tumour earlier this year, inspired Dulux to name a paint after him.
Barry Taylor began experiencing headaches and confusion in November 2025. He was sent to hospital by his GP where a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain, later confirmed to be glioblastoma.
Barry was cared for at home by his family until his death, aged 68, on 25th January 2026.
His daughter Dixie said: “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.”
Forty years ago, Barry founded the painting and decorating company A&B Group and was a regular purchaser of Dulux paint. Shortly before his brain tumour diagnosis, Dulux dedicated a custom paint colour to him, called ‘Bazza Blue’, inspired by the colour of his piercing blue eyes. “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,” Dixie said.
Paul Roughan, Sales Director at Dulux Decorator Centre, said: “Barry was a valued partner, mentor and a well-respected member of our industry. His passion, professionalism, and the relationships he built left a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him. Bazza Blue was named after his piercing blue eyes and presented to Barry to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the A & B Group. This colour is now a small tribute to an exceptional person whose legacy will continue to inspire us.”
Barry’s legacy also continues through his daughter’s passion to change the story for other brain tumour patients and their families. On Sunday 5th July, Dixie and her friend, Ellie Conway, ran the Maidstone 10k, 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,” Dixie added. “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.”
There is still time to support Dixie’s fundraising. If you would like to donate, please visit her JustGiving page.
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