A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock was found dead in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool 20 years ago.

Police have revealed that a 50-year-old man is being questioned over the death after Lubbock was found unconscious in March 2001.

But how did the dad-of-two end up in the Essex mansion and what happened to him?

Who was Stuart Lubbock?

The body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found face-down in the swimming pool of TV presenter and comedian Michael Barrymore on March 31, 2001.

Lubbock, a dad-of-two from Harlow, and others had been enjoying an all-night party at the star's then mansion in Roydon, Essex.

Barrymore had invited the meat factory supervisor back to his home for a private party after meeting him at the Millennium Nightclub.

Seven people, including Lubbock, joined Barrymore at his five-bedroom home.

Three witnesses, including Barrymore, claimed Lubbock was found motionless in the swimming pool hours later.

On March 17 2021, a 50-year-old man was arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of murder over Mr Lubbock's death at Michael Barrymore's home in Roydon.

In a statement, cops said the arrest is linked to Mr Lubbock's "indecent assault and murder".

What were Stuart Lubbock's injuries?

A post-mortem of Stuart Lubbock found he had suffered severe internal injuries that suggested he was sexually assaulted.

During a five-day inquest in 2002, Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray was told that Lubbock had alcohol in his system, along with a cocktail of drugs including ecstasy, amphetamine and cocaine.

Three of the four pathologists giving evidence were unable to provide an exact cause of death.

Prof Christopher Milroy said it was possible that Lubbock had been held around the neck, but that drowning was the most likely cause of death, the Watford Observer reported at the time.

However, three other pathologists said they could not confirm that he had definitely drowned.

Ms Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict as a result.

She added that "none" of the witnesses who were at the party "for three hours have given to this court an explanation about how Stuart Lubbock, a previously fit 31-year-old, should be found floating in a swimming pool at the premises, with a significant level of alcohol and drugs in his system, and have serious anal injuries".

What has Stuart Lubbock's father said about his death?

Terry Lubbock, 76, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, has hired a top lawyer to fight for answers surrounding his son's death.

Terry Lubbock is hoping his barrister can secure a second inquest – as he reveals he has "just months left to live".

Terry told The Mirror: "I've only a few months left. I want justice for my son before I go.

"We’ve got a big-gun barrister working on this. We are getting close."

Upon learning of the new arrest, Terry said: "There is just so much going on in my head.

"I can't get my head around it.

"Of course I'm happy. Of course this is good news.

"But it's been 20 years. This has nearly killed me."

He added: “I’ve always said I will continue to fight for justice until my last breath and that’s what I’m doing still.

“I’m extremely ill with cancer, I’ve only got weeks to live.

"But I won’t give up on Stuart until I die.”

What has Michael Barrymore said about Stuart Lubbock's death?

Barrymore, now aged 68, was arrested over the death in 2007 but the case against him was dropped three months later.

He has poured out his heart on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and confessed he lives the life of a recluse, with his Jack Russell, Dave, his only companion.

In a tearful and emotional interview, Barrymore said: “I could not be more sad. I could not be more sorry that this event took place.

“It was at my house and they don’t have all the answers to how he got these injuries.

“Of course it goes through my head and I want things different. I wish I could change it for them.

“I f***ed up. What more do you want? I f***ed up.

“I was responsible for allowing people to come back to my house and to go out to the pool. All of them were . . . there were no children. Stuart was 31. You assume they was capable of looking after themselves.”

 

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