Britain’s first gay dads split after being together for 32 years because one of the dads fell in love with their daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Now the daughter has spoken out to say she approves of the relationship after it was revealed that they all live together.
Saffron Drewitt-Barlow, 19, is the daughter of Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 50, and Tony, 55. Saffron and her twin Aspen were born to the gay couple via a surrogate in 1999.
Saffron used to date 25-year-old Scott Hutchison. But one of her dads, Barrie, is now dating Scott and Saffron said they have her support.
(L-R) Tony, Scott, Saffron and Barrie
Saffron spoke out about her dads’ split on Monday after people had been having conversations about it. Saffron, who turns 20 next month, said she’s happy one of her dads has found love with her ex-boyfriend.
She wrote in an Instagram post: “Scott is one of my best mates and I am happy that he and daddy can finally feel comfortable enough to talk about their relationship.”
Saffron also claimed that things were never romantic with Scott, and that she was only pretending to date him to keep his sexuality secret after he came out to her years ago.
She said: “It is time you all knew there was NEVER any more than a friendship between us… Scott had told me he was gay years ago and I agreed to help him keep his secret by pretending to be his girlfriend. That, I’m happy to say, was it!”
Saffron said she and her siblings are fine with their dad’s new relationship with Scott, who helps to care for ailing Tony.
“My parents are my best friends and although ‘officially’ they are not together like that any more they remain the best of friends and care for each other better than any other parents I know,” she wrote.
“My brothers, dad and I are extremely happy for Scott and daddy who cares day and night for my sick dad.”
Barrie shared his daughter’s Instagram post to his own account with the caption: “Love my baby girl so much x this should shut a few of those t—- up!”
Barrie and Tony were England’s first same-sex couple to be named on a birth certificate as parents nearly 20 years ago.
Though they have split, the gay dads still live happily under one roof with Scott, Saffron and their four other children. In their unconventional family, Tony is referred to as Dad, Barrie is called Daddy and Scott is stepdad.
Tony and Barrie
Barrie said that while Tony is his “true love,” they grew apart in recent years and were sleeping in separate bedrooms. Tony’s deteriorating health following a 2006 cancer diagnosis also led them to drift “into a platonic relationship.”
