Barbara Deakin (née Rodwell) is the aunt of Michael and Bob, sister of Keith and daughter of Edward Rodwell. In September 2014, Michael traced Barbara after finding out from his cousin Bob that his father died twenty years ago from a genetic heart disease. After plucking up the courage to ring her, Barbara arranged to meet Michael in the Rovers at 5.30pm that evening. She told Michael and his partner Gail McIntyre that her mother also died young from a similar cause. Michael was unnerved as his father was the same age as him when he died. Barbara told Michael that his father always loved him, regardless of how far apart they were.