Search icon

Crime

17th Mar 2021

Man aged 50 arrested over 2001 death in Michael Barrymore’s pool

Claudia McInerney

Stuart Lubbock died in 2001

A man has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault and the murder of Stuart Lubbock at the Essex home of Michael Barrymore in 2001.

The 50-year-old man, who has not been named, is being questioned in custody in Essex, following his arrest in Cheshire, Essex police confirmed.

In March 2001, Lubbock was found dead in the TV presenter’s pool, after attending a party at Barrymore’s house in Roydon with eight other guests.

The former TV presenter was widely criticised for leaving his Essex home soon after Lubbock was found floating in his pool.

Barrymore, 68, was arrested and questioned over the death of Lubbock in 2007, but never charged with an offence.

The 68-year old addressed Lubbock’s tragic death on the ITV show Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.

During the interview, Barrymore said: “I went into a bit of shock. It was quite obvious he wasn’t moving much.

“The first thing I did when I saw it was tun back into the health and get help.”

He told host Piers that wanted to clarify that he “did not flee the house” or “run away”.

Barrymore said he found his personal assistant and told them that “there had been a problem at the house,” before explaining what had happened.

He went on: “Yes, I should’ve stayed. I should’ve said, no, I need to be here.”

No one has ever been charged with an offence in relation to the death.

Despite attempts to save Lubbock, the 31-year old sadly died in hospital.

Police said a post-mortem examination found that Lubbock had suffered “horrific” injuries before his death.

Lubbock had also suffered from severe internal injuries that are suggestive of sexual assault, the Guardian reported.

According to the Guardian, alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.

Last month, Lubbock’s father, Terry, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, said: “All I’ve been living for is to get justice for Stuart,” the BBC reported.