SCOTT, BARRIE & TONY

Scott (27) - Barrie’s Partner

Barrie (53)

Tony (56) - Barrie’s Ex-Husband

Tampa, Florida

Britain’s First Gay Ex-Dads

Exes Barrie and Tony are an eccentric, fun and outlandish example of a modern family. Nothing about them is traditional; from the silk shirts, to showing award-winning poodles to extravagant vacations, Tony and Barrie have built a family, a fortune and a life together. Who needs to be a couple to share all that? Although they hail from Great Britain, Tony and Barrie (once dubbed ‘Britain’s First Gay Dads’) live together in Florida despite no longer being romantically involved. To make matters even more surreal, Barrie lives with his current partner, Scott, who is over twenty years  younger than Barrie! And it’s not just the trio in the house! They share ten-acres with multiples home in a mansion/compound like setting with six children, five support staff and over 75 pure-bred poodles. It’s a circus unto itself but they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Barrie and Tony met in 1987 in the United Kingdom when Barrie stopped at a local petrol station to ask for directions. Their connection was immediate and undeniable. Barrie and Tony were together for nearly a decade before they decided to go through the surrogacy process, hopping the pond to Beverly Hills to meet with a fertility clinic. By 1999 the happy couple was blessed with beautiful twin babies, Saffron and Aspen. Saffron and her brother Aspen, both 22, were conceived using the eggs of one woman while being carried in the womb of their surrogate. Barrie is the biological father of one, and Tony is the biological father of the other -- so they are technically “half siblings” born at the same time! Barrie and Tony made national headlines in Britain because they were the first people to have the names of two men on a birth certificate. Hence, “Britain’s First Gay Dads.” This was also before gay marriage was legal in the United Kingdom. Many perceive them as pioneers, but they contend that they are simply humans who fell in love who wanted to start a family.  

Over the next decade Barrie and Tony would continue their pursuit of extending their family while relocating to Tampa, FL. Aspen (22) also has a full-biological twin named Orlando (17) who is 5 years younger because the embryo that was used to conceive Aspen was split in two in the lab and frozen for the next few years. Barrie and Tony have another set of twins Dallas (11) and Jasper (11) who were conceived by using the eggs of a Brazilian Model the duo spotted on a fashion catwalk. Barrie and Tony were finally legally able to get married in 2006. As time passed, the duo not only grew their family but their wealth through various business ventures in real estate and medical sales. They are believed to have a combined wealth of over $40million. Tony is a very clever scientist and Barrie is a brilliant business man, so the two together created a business empire from virtually nothing.

Tony and Scott admit that around 2013 the spark in their relationship faded. The sex, romance and excitement declined to the point it was hardly there. There was no resentment or ill will, the had just fallen out of romantic love. Despite this realization, they understood that their friendship and everything that they had worked towards shouldn’t be sacrificed. According to Barrie, “sometimes relationships change, they don’t always have to end. Our relationship simply shifted and we both needed and wanted other things.” 

In a chance meeting, Barrie encountered the young and handsome Scott in 2013 at a party in London. Scott, a fetching, fit and charismatic young man with a chiseled physique and disarming smile had Barrie weak in the knees. The two were smitten from the get go. They started a whirlwind romance, but Scott wasn’t out at the time. In fact, Barrie was his first! In an effort to save face, Scott and Barrie’s daughter Saffron pretended to be a couple to protect Scott’s reputation. Scott wasn’t ready to come out to the world. Since Barrie and Tony were under a microscope in London as “Britain’s First Gay Dad’s”, salacious tabloids end up writing articles about how Barrie was seen with Scott and how Barrie had stolen his daughter’s boyfriend! According to Barrie and Scott, there was no romance between the two and Saffron and Scott remain close friends.

 Barrie, Tony and Scott along with all the children live together in a luxurious, 10-bedroom house. Because Tony and Barrie still run their business together and are co-parenting multiple kids, their lives are inextricably connected. To separate would make their lives even more complicated, and why would they want to complicate anything? They share a wonderful life together! They have a live-in-chef who makes every meal for the family. They dine together every day at their massive, round table designed to accommodate everyone. When Barrie and Tony are not caring for their children, tending their business or spending time on romantic relationships they are showing and breeding poodles! They have a working kennel on their property and employ, “the best handler’s money can buy!” They have over 75 pooches who they adore!

It’s not always easy and jealousy does arise. Barrie is quite clear that he often prefers Tony’s company over Scott’s. Tony and Barrie are the same age, have the same tastes, the same interests, and the same sense of humor, not to mention a shared history. Barrie and Tony just have zero physical relationship! Barrie and Tony have no secrets from one another, they are entirely honest and up front about every aspect of one another’s lives. A fact that Scott doesn’t like. Scott and Barrie have a baby daughter together named Valentina who they conceived through surrogacy. Barrie wasn’t sure if he wanted to start a family with Scott, but Scott was adamant and the couple took the leap. It’s been a difficult adjustment for Tony witnessing his ex-husband who he raised five children with, father a child with a different man. It brings mixed emotions as Tony has always been a father figure to everyone in his home, but this person is not his daughter.

Many are surprised to learn that Tony and Barrie are still married and they like it that way. Barrie refuses to divorce Tony and vice-versa until one of them passes away. Their lives are too intertwined. In 2018 Tony had throat cancer and underwent chemotherapy. Although he’s healthy today the medical scare was a wake-up call for both of them. Barrie is the executor of Tony’s Will and will be the person to make end of life medical decisions on behalf of Tony. Additionally, Barrie will receive all of Tony’s inheritance, along with their children in the event that Tony passes before Barrie. All of the above applies to Barrie should he pass. They have built a life and an unbreakable relationship that most people can only dream of. They have no desire of getting a divorce. Even though Scott and Barrie have a child together, Barrie is not going to marry Scott. Scott, has a difficult time finding his place in this family. He knows he is loved but he also knows that he comes second to Tony. Scott, does his best to not let feelings of inadequacy and jealousy take up his attention, but it does happen.

Tony isn’t single either! Tony is with a young man named Brent, (age 22) and the two have what is described as a volatile relationship. Both Barrie and Scott have a very difficult time finding something nice to say about Brent. Through clenched teeth they say things like, “if he makes Tony happy…” They think that Brent is a gold-digger who is taking advantage of Tony’s generosity. Barrie will hear Brent be condescending to Tony and it will trigger him into an enraged stupor. How dare he? Tony dotes on Brent with lavish gifts (including cars) that Barrie sees as Brent being opportunistic, but he has to keep his mouth shut to keep the peace.

Scott wants another child and is in the process of convincing Barrie that another surrogate is the way to go! With so many children, Barrie has his concerns. Brent and Tony’s relationships remains up and down, and Barrie continues to be protective of his beloved friend. With children getting ready to grow-up and with an expanding business, this group is nothing short of fireworks, flare-ups and fabulousness!

Tony & Barrie’s Children:
Aspen & Safron (22)
Orlando (21)
Jasper and Dallas (11)

Additional Family/Significant Others:
Valentina (1) Barrie and Scott’s daughter
Brent (22) Tony’s Partner