Star of Duty Free sitcom

Sitcom star Keith Barron has died at the age of 8 3after a short illness.

He was best known for the 1980s comedy Duty Free.

But he also appeared  in Coronation Street (where he played George Trench for 11 episodes), A Touch Of Frost and Benidorm.

His agents AHA Talent said: 'We are so sad to announce that the wonderful Keith Baron has died aged 83 after a short illness. He was a fabulous actor as well as an absolutely tip-top friend and client. We shall miss him, his kindness and his sense of humour immensely. '

Born in West Yorkshire, Barron started his career at the Sheffield Playhouse, where he also met his wife, stage designer Mary Pickard.

He became well known to TV viewers in the early 1960s as Detective Sergeant Swift in the Granada TV series The Odd Man. .

His major breakthrough, however, was as Nigel Barton in Dennis Potter’s 1965 plays Stand Up, Nigel Barton and Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton.

But his biggest role was as David Pearce in the Spanish-set Duty Free, which ran for three series from 1984 to 1986.

He and he on-screen wife Gwen Taylor were working-class socialists from Northampton, and his character had a holiday affair with Linda Cochran (Joanna Van Gyseghem) who was on holiday with husband Robert (Neil Stacy) – a more affluent, middle-class Conservative couple from Henley-on-Thames.

His other credits include the Hollywood film The Land That Time Forgot and appearances in Doctors, Doctor Who, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Casualty.

He is survived by Mary, to whom he was married for 58 years, and his son, Jamie, who is also an actor.

Published: 15 Nov 2017