By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine Barber is probably best known as Denzil in Only Fools and HorsesAs the children's care system faces a revamp, actor Paul Barber recalls what was it like in the 1950s and reflects on how he put his difficult start in life behind him.
By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine Barber is probably best known as Denzil in Only Fools and HorsesAs the children's care system faces a revamp, actor Paul Barber recalls what was it like in the 1950s and reflects on how he put his difficult start in life behind him.
An orphaned childhood spent with three families and in four care homes, and at half a dozen schools, would be hard enough.
An orphaned childhood spent with three families and in four care homes, and at half a dozen schools, would be hard enough.
But being the only black face in a white classroom, in 1950s suburban Liverpool, made it all the more alienating.
But being the only black face in a white classroom, in 1950s suburban Liverpool, made it all the more alienating.
Nearly 50 years later, that face is very familiar to the British public, thanks to performances in two of the most successful comedies of recent times, Only Fools and Horses and The Full Monty.
Nearly 50 years later, that face is very familiar to the British public, thanks to performances in two of the most successful comedies of recent times, Only Fools and Horses and The Full Monty.
All that's changed is the name - the confused boy Patrick Barber is now seasoned actor Paul Barber, 56, who has documented his brutal and traumatic upbringing in a new book, Foster Kid.
All that's changed is the name - the confused boy Patrick Barber is now seasoned actor Paul Barber, 56, who has documented his brutal and traumatic upbringing in a new book, Foster Kid.
When I first went into foster care I imagined it being like Janet and John
When I first went into foster care I imagined it being like Janet and John
Its publication comes soon after a government White Paper proposed ways to improve the lives and opportunities of children in care, such as not changing schools for youngsters in the final years of education and allowing them to stay in care until 18.
Its publication comes soon after a government White Paper proposed ways to improve the lives and opportunities of children in care, such as not changing schools for youngsters in the final years of education and allowing them to stay in care until 18.
Barber had no choice in 1967 but to leave the system aged 16. His introduction to it came unexpectedly nine years earlier when his mother, a single parent, was taken into hospital with TB and subsequently died.
Barber had no choice in 1967 but to leave the system aged 16. His introduction to it came unexpectedly nine years earlier when his mother, a single parent, was taken into hospital with TB and subsequently died.
Her five children were suddenly removed from the multicultural community in Toxteth where they felt at home, and thrust into the white, suburban world of fostering and care homes.
Her five children were suddenly removed from the multicultural community in Toxteth where they felt at home, and thrust into the white, suburban world of fostering and care homes.
For Barber, trying to blend in was impossible when school friends innocently asked questions about being an orphan and being a black boy with a white family - questions that required a child to talk about grown-up issues.
For Barber, trying to blend in was impossible when school friends innocently asked questions about being an orphan and being a black boy with a white family - questions that required a child to talk about grown-up issues.
"When I first went into foster care I imagined it being like Janet and John, with lovely pictures of Janet and John outside their house with mum and dad and the dog alongside and the sun shining above the house," he says. "I believed I was going to go into a house like that."
"When I first went into foster care I imagined it being like Janet and John, with lovely pictures of Janet and John outside their house with mum and dad and the dog alongside and the sun shining above the house," he says. "I believed I was going to go into a house like that."
Alienation
Alienation
Instead, it was a "boarding house from hell", where Barber and his natural brother - separated from the rest of the family and still coming to terms with their mother's death - were beaten, stripped naked and locked up. They eventually ran away.
Instead, it was a "boarding house from hell", where Barber and his natural brother - separated from the rest of the family and still coming to terms with their mother's death - were beaten, stripped naked and locked up. They eventually ran away.
But there was no-one in Toxteth able to take them in, so they were put in a care home and the cycle of home to foster family, and school to school, began.
But there was no-one in Toxteth able to take them in, so they were put in a care home and the cycle of home to foster family, and school to school, began.
Although he believes his carers were usually well-intentioned, his experience from his first foster mother, who has since passed away, made him fearful of all the others. And the constant disruption imposed on him compounded the resentment.
Although he believes his carers were usually well-intentioned, his experience from his first foster mother, who has since passed away, made him fearful of all the others. And the constant disruption imposed on him compounded the resentment.
Barber draws on his painful childhood for some acting parts
Barber draws on his painful childhood for some acting parts
A few years ago, Barber investigated the care system for a BBC documentary and he thinks that a key improvement would be to include children in the conversations that determine where they live.
A few years ago, Barber investigated the care system for a BBC documentary and he thinks that a key improvement would be to include children in the conversations that determine where they live.
"Don't do what happened to me in the 50s. I've been in children's homes where I've just made some friends, living there for a year, and then suddenly I'm pulled up to the warden's office and there are two strangers there and the warden says 'You're going to live with these people in two days' time, say 'Ta-ra' to your friends."
"Don't do what happened to me in the 50s. I've been in children's homes where I've just made some friends, living there for a year, and then suddenly I'm pulled up to the warden's office and there are two strangers there and the warden says 'You're going to live with these people in two days' time, say 'Ta-ra' to your friends."
He believes that stigma is one of the main barriers to social mobility. He was denied extra-curricular sporting opportunities at school because being in care made him unsuitable in the eyes of staff.
He believes that stigma is one of the main barriers to social mobility. He was denied extra-curricular sporting opportunities at school because being in care made him unsuitable in the eyes of staff.
So Barber has since visited care homes to motivate young people and tell them to believe in themselves and try to achieve their ambitions.
So Barber has since visited care homes to motivate young people and tell them to believe in themselves and try to achieve their ambitions.
Suddenly and for the first time, someone was taking an interest in me
Suddenly and for the first time, someone was taking an interest in me
His leg-up came from an unexpected source. After leaving the care system, returning to Toxteth and getting in trouble with the police, one of his friends asked him to accompany him to an audition for the musical Hair at the Empire.
His leg-up came from an unexpected source. After leaving the care system, returning to Toxteth and getting in trouble with the police, one of his friends asked him to accompany him to an audition for the musical Hair at the Empire.
After his friend unsuccessfully displayed his talents, Barber was beckoned on to the stage to have a go at singing Yesterday by The Beatles.
After his friend unsuccessfully displayed his talents, Barber was beckoned on to the stage to have a go at singing Yesterday by The Beatles.
"The director turned his eyes on me and said would you like to have a go and as when I did it I could see his eyes light up.
"The director turned his eyes on me and said would you like to have a go and as when I did it I could see his eyes light up.
"Suddenly and for the first time, someone was taking an interest in me, the way I was singing and moving and dancing on stage. And I thought 'My God, someone likes me and they want me to be in this musical!'"
"Suddenly and for the first time, someone was taking an interest in me, the way I was singing and moving and dancing on stage. And I thought 'My God, someone likes me and they want me to be in this musical!'"
They asked him to another audition in Manchester and informed him in the post that he had a part.
They asked him to another audition in Manchester and informed him in the post that he had a part.
At last, Barber had found his new family.
At last, Barber had found his new family.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Very touching...Paul, I am myself very weak at heart and I really admire what you have lived through. When I look at myself after reading this story, I feel so much more privileged.And yes, I must say that it takes hell lot of courage to speak about such experiences, because everytime you do, it makes you re-live the whole thing. Thanks for being so courageous Paul, your story will undoubtedly change numerous livesSirisha, India
What a great true life experience, Paul should be congratulated for sharing this and using his experiences to help others. Governments and public bodies need to listen to children and take there views into account more. Adults don't always know best!David, Ware
What a great true life experience, Paul should be congratulated for sharing this and using his experiences to help others. Governments and public bodies need to listen to children and take there views into account more. Adults don't always know best!David, Ware
Having been the black lad subjected to the care system and being put with white foster carers, I can relate to everything mentioned in this article. I'm still affected by some of the things I experienced. The good thing to come out of it is my refusal to use (or allow anyone else to use) physical punishment against my own children and my commitment to ensuring they have a better childhood than I had.Jez Daniels, Portsmouth UK
Having been the black lad subjected to the care system and being put with white foster carers, I can relate to everything mentioned in this article. I'm still affected by some of the things I experienced. The good thing to come out of it is my refusal to use (or allow anyone else to use) physical punishment against my own children and my commitment to ensuring they have a better childhood than I had.Jez Daniels, Portsmouth UK
I am glad that he is now happy after a traumatic start.Ann Hill, Leeds
I am glad that he is now happy after a traumatic start.Ann Hill, Leeds
It is sadly very rare in the UK, but none the less inspiring to read the life experience of a fellow graduate of the appalling British care system. I grew up in the 80s in residential care and got dumped out at 16. I managed to eventually get into university and build a successful career abroad. In my view, most British people expect people from care backgrounds to be silent about their experiences . In other countries , if you have done well and you have come from a children's home people respect you and treat you as an equal human being. In the UK they do not-you are stigmatised and made to feel second class. In this context I really respect Patrick Barber and hope he -and others-continue to articulate the experience of growing up in care. Anon, London
It is sadly very rare in the UK, but none the less inspiring to read the life experience of a fellow graduate of the appalling British care system. I grew up in the 80s in residential care and got dumped out at 16. I managed to eventually get into university and build a successful career abroad. In my view, most British people expect people from care backgrounds to be silent about their experiences . In other countries , if you have done well and you have come from a children's home people respect you and treat you as an equal human being. In the UK they do not-you are stigmatised and made to feel second class. In this context I really respect Patrick Barber and hope he -and others-continue to articulate the experience of growing up in care. Anon, London
