Since her departure from "Coronation Street", Barker has mostly been a character actress in television dramas, such as the 1984 Channel 4 series, "Scully", in which she played teacher Mrs. Heath, an exception being her role in "Brookside", playing the role of Audrey Manners, during 1995. She appeared in the first series of "Waterloo Road", playing secretary Estelle Cooper. She also had a small role in the film "Miss Potter". It was reported that she declined the premiere for the movie with Renee Zellweger, to teach drama at her local school, Jude's Drama in Oldham.