Who are Barrie and Tony? Everything we know about Below Deck Sailing Yacht charter guests

Fans of Below Deck Sailing Yacht may recognize Barrie and Tony Drewitt Barlow from their appearances as charter guests on two seasons of the famous reality show.

Barrie and Tony are known for their distinctive family dynamics and dramatic exchanges. Their background is equally remarkable, with the couple having made a huge contribution to LGBTQ+ history in the United Kingdom.

During their participation on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Barrie and Tony were members of a huge family gathering that provided various obstacles for the crew. The couple's children were described as finicky eaters, causing stress in the kitchen as Chef Natasha De Bourg tried to match their high standards.

This tension carried over to other aspects of the vacation, with Barrie, in particular, making elaborate demands, such as insisting on hand-washing crystal glasses.

Adding to the drama, Barrie’s relationship with his daughter Saffron’s ex-partner Scott, who was also part of the trip, created an awkward atmosphere onboard.

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Barrie and Tony's impact on Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Barrie and Tony are widely recognized as two of the toughest guests that have appeared on Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Fans of the show were particularly critical of Barrie's behavior, as he made several outrageous requests and generated conflict among the team.

Despite their breakup in 2019, Barrie and Tony remained close friends and chose to live together for the sake of their family, creating a distinct dynamic during their time on the show.

The family was far from easygoing during their charter, complaining about meal portions, the timing of food service, and the quality of the tableware.

Barrie also caused a stir by proposing to his new partner Scott during the trip, which happened to coincide with Tony’s birthday.

While this proposal may have seemed inappropriate to some, Barrie’s daughter, Saffron, who had previously dated Scott, expressed her happiness for the couple.

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A landmark couple in LGBTQ+ history

Before their time on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Barrie and Tony Drewitt Barlow were the first openly gay couple to be recognized as legal fathers in the UK.

The couple's journey to parenthood began when they had twins through surrogacy in the United States, a groundbreaking move at a time when adoption regulations were still biased against LGBTQ+ couples.

This established a precedent for future same-sex couples looking to have families and helped to increase acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights in the United Kingdom.

They first met at a gas station in Manchester. Over time, they constructed a profitable surrogacy business and a multimillion-dollar empire that encompassed real estate investments and a global medical research firm.

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Life after Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Since their participation in Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Barrie and Tony have largely disappeared from the public eye, though Barrie is still active on social media.

Barrie frequently shares updates about his family, including the couple's youngest daughter, Valentina, who was born in 2020, and their art collection, which has gained popularity online.

Tony, on the other hand, has kept a lower profile, making his Instagram private. He is now in a relationship with Brent, his former nurse, whom he met while battling cancer.

Barrie has welcomed the spotlight, posting photos of his luxury lifestyle and family on Instagram. He has also made news for his lavish presents to his children and grandchildren, which include multimillion-dollar homes and even a personal chef for his little daughter.

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Barrie and Tony’s expanding family

Barrie and Tony’s family continues to grow. Their eldest daughter, Saffron, gave birth to her first child, Marina, in 2023, becoming the couple's first grandchild. True to fashion, Barrie celebrated the occasion with lavish presents, including a $1.3 million mansion for his granddaughter.

Connor Jr., the couple's second grandchild, was born via C-section shortly after, adding another addition to their growing family.

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Their family's complex relationships, mixed with their demanding personalities, made for interesting entertainment on Life After Below Deck.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht will return for season 5 on Bravo TV on Monday, October 7, 2024.