Michael Barrymore apologises over Stuart Lubbock pool death: 'I f***ed up'

Former television star maintained he is '100 per cent innocent', 18 years after death of father-of-two at his home in Essex

Michael Barrymore has issued a public apology for the first time over the death of Stuart Lubbock, a party guest who was found dead in his pool in March 2001.

Barrymore, who was one of the UK’s biggest TV entertainers during the Eighties and Nineties, fell from grace after Lubbock, a 31-year-old father-of-two, was found dead at his mansion in Roydon, Essex. Traces of cocaine and ecstasy were found in Lubbock’s bloodstream.

Barrymore was criticised for leaving the scene before police had arrived, and for refusing to answer questions at the inquest about any drug use at the party held that night.

Stuart Lubbock pictured before his death in 2001 (PA)

He was arrested six years later in connection with Lubbock’s death. He was released, but subsequently withdrew from public life.

Appearing on an episode of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, which is set to air this Saturday, the 67-year-old claimed he is “100 per cent innocent” and should be able to walk “with my head held high”, The Sun reports.

“I gave Stuart nothing. There were no E’s at my house. I had a joint. If there was cocaine he didn’t get it from me,” he said, adding: “Stuart’s family deserve proper answers and the police have not completed their inquiries properly.”

“I could not be more sad. I could not be more sorry that this event took place,” he continued. “It was at my house and they don’t have all the answers to how he got these injuries. I could not be more sad or sorry if I have to be for the rest of my life.

“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.

He later added: “The idiots at Essex Police have been disgraceful with the way that they have dealt with this.

“I have not come on here to gain anything or to do anything other than to do the show. Stuart’s gone. And that family deserve proper answers and the police have not completed their inquiries properly.”

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said in a statement to The Independent: “Attacking hardworking front line policemen and women on national TV is unfair, particularly when some of what is being reported is simply wrong.”

“The investigation into Stuart’s death, and how he sustained such serious injuries is still open. We owe it to him and to his family to piece together exactly what happened in the swimming pool at Mr Barrymore’s home in March 2001.”

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Barrymore moved to New Zealand with his partner Shaun Davis before taking part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2005.

Since then, he has been featured on shows such as The Friday Night Project and Come Dine With Me.

In 2017, a high court judge ruled that Barrymore's arrest in 2007 had been unlawful due to the fact that there wasn’t enough evidence to suspect him. His claim for compensation of more than £2.4 million estimated lost earnings was rejected.

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories airs Saturday 8 June at 9.35pm on ITV.