Defiant Michael Barrymore explains why he never showed remorse about pool death

Michael Barrymore says he was “eaten up and spat out” after the death of Stuart Lubbock at his home.

Barrymore’s TV career effectively ended on March 31, 2001, when the butcher was found dead in the swimming pool at his home in Roydon, Essex.

The entertainer has been criticised for leaving the scene before police had arrived and refusing to answer questions at the inquest about any drug use at the party held that night.

But appearing on ITV’s Life Stories, 67-year-old Barrymore is adamant he is “100% innocent” and should be able to “walk with my head held high”.

Michael Barrymore insists he’s ‘100 per cent innocent’
(Image: ITV)

Stuart Lubbock was found dead after a party at Michael Barrymore’s home
(Image: PA)

Asked by host Piers Morgan about Lubbock’s death, Barrymore says: “I could not be more sorry that this event took place.

“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.

“Stuart’s family deserve proper answers and the police have not completed their inquiries properly.”

Diana

Barrymore said it was “the wrong thing to do” to leave his house and go to his friend’s bungalow several minutes away at the end of the drive after Lubbock, 31, had died.

The star says he took some letters he was sent by Princess Diana from his office that he worried “people would see”.

Michael Barrymore tells his life story to Piers Morgan
(Image: ITV)

The swimming pool at Michael Barrymore’s house where Stuart Lubbock’s body was found
(Image: Daily Mirror)

Barrymore also says at his worst he was drinking “a couple of bottles of Jack Daniels a day” and tried to kill himself.

Towards the end of the interview, the fallen star cries but says he “feels amazing” being back on a TV set.

Asked if the chat had given him a taste for a comeback, he said: “Of course it has. But I’ll get over it if it doesn’t come back. I am not going to sit waiting for the phone to ring.”