The Stage

Jean Barbour

Published Monday 19 July 2010 at 15:29 by Don Stacey

Jean Barbour, a long-time member of the popular variety act, The Barbour Brothers and Jean, has died at the age of 85.

Her first husband was Peter Barbour, one of the three sons (along with Roy and Geoffrey) of comedian and theatrical producer Roy Barbour Snr, who made up the original Barbour Brothers trio of stiltwalkers and eccentric dancers. Peter began in showbusiness as a dancer in revue and variety, but his career was interrupted by the Second World War and army service in the Royal Artillery. He was later released to appear in the Southern Army Entertainments Unit with his elder brother Roy, working in the famous show Stars in Battledress, in which Jean was a singer.

Roy married Sheila Hancock’s sister Billie, and in 1948, Peter married Jean. They had a daughter, Sue, born in 1950.

After the war, the three Barbour Brothers reunited to perform their famous speciality act, including stiltwalking and eccentric dance routines wearing Little Tich-style big boots. Jean joined the act in 1952, when Geoffrey decided to leave the partnership. She continued to perform with them until 1973, when she was replaced by her daughter Sue, who trained in dance, drama and music and is a fourth-generation performer.

Peter and Jean parted after 27 years of marriage, and she subsequently remarried, to an army colonel. Jean and her husband died in a car crash on July 2. Peter Barbour died in September 2005, aged 82. Jean is survived by their daughter Sue.