Barbara Coleman dies aged 80

Barbara Coleman, the wife of the late television producer Alan Coleman, has died at Wyong Public Hospital in Australia at the age of 80; she had been unwell for some time.

Barbara Malins was born in the village of Lowsonford in Warwickshire, England. Her parents ran the local post office and shop and when she first met Alan at Rowington School it was this fact which initially attracted him to her! The Second World War was raging and rationing was in place, Barbara was able to get the odd extra sweet or slice of chocolate from her parents shop!

The happy pair eventually became engaged whilst Alan was serving with the RAF as a photographer, but when he contracted tuberculosis and was sent to a specialist military hospital in Wroughton, Wiltshire, Barbara upped sticks and moved to be close to him. She took a job in a local departmental store and gained her five minutes of fame as a model when the store decided to stage a fashion parade in order to showcase their latest wares.

A few extra sweet treats would lead to a happy marriage which lasted more than fifty years, and without Barbara’s constant support Alan would not have been able to pursue his career as a television producer, director and writer to the extent that he did. Barbara was always very much part of the scene and from time to time would find herself catering for cast members of the hit ATV serial Crossroads when they were rehearsing scenes in her back garden! When Alan became Head of Children’s Drama for ATV in the Midlands, young actor Russell Lewis actually stayed with Alan and Barbara during the filming of Kids from 47A as his family situation meant that it wasn’t practical for him to travel to the studios each day otherwise.

When Alan was offered a new job as a producer and director with the Reg Grundy Organisation in Australia in 1974, Barbara of course made the move with him. She soon found herself working in the wardrobe department of The Young Doctors where she was constantly washing and ironing costumes due to the lack of air-conditioning in the studio and actors sweating like troopers in the height of summer.

As was the case in England, she opened her home to cast and crew members, on one occasion scenes from the television series Case for the Defence were recorded in various rooms of her house.

Whilst Alan pursued his highly successful career, Barbara did a magnificent job bringing up their three children Chris, Nick and Jacqui. She loved gardening, growing roses, reading the English edition of The Women’s Weekly and was a very creative person making her own handmade birthday and Christmas cards amongst other craft items.

Alan’s agent Darren Gray said, “Barbara was a wonderful lady, extremely generous and kind. She was a good friend to me over the years and we spent many happy times together, I shall miss her terribly.”

Sadly Alan died in 2013, and their son Chris who enjoyed a successful career as a cameraman in both Australia and with Central Television in England died in 2014. Barbara is survived by her son Nick, daughter Jacqui, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.