Barrymore’s back on ITV
MICHAEL Barrymore is set to return to ITV for the first time since he was axed 16 years ago over the death of a man found in his swimming pool.
Now 65, he found fame presenting hit shows such as Strike It Lucky and Blankety Blank.
But he was dropped by ITV in 2002 after Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex home following a party.
Viewers will watch Barrymore present an ITV3 documentary about late comedian Larry Grayson on Easter Sunday, April 1.
Larry Grayson: Shut That Door explores the life of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers in the Seventies and Eighties using archives, family photographs and an unpublished autobiography.
Before his death in 1995 at 71, Grayson was the host of BBC1’s The Generation Game after he replaced Sir Bruce Forsyth. In the documentary, Barrymore tells of how much he learned from the star and recalls going to parties he threw in Paignton, Devon.
“He had an amazing career out of just being Larry. He was unique. I was warm-up man for him,” he said.
Barrymore is pursuing a legal battle against police for wrongful arrest on suspicion of Mr Lubbock’s rape and murder in 2007. He was later released without charge.
He is claiming compensation for the loss of 16 years of TV roles, which he believes he missed out on over the scandal. These include hosting the BBC1 hit Strictly Come Dancing.
A source close to Barrymore said: “All Michael wants is to get what he deserved.”
In 2002, a coroner gave an verdict on Mr Lubbock’s death. open