Anger as Barrymore tries to raise profile with TikTok account
Barrage of clips as probe goes on into party death
MICHAEL Barrymore has been slammed for trying to attract new fans on TikTok while the death of a man at his house goes unsolved.
The former TV host has a new profile on the video sharing app and has uploaded 17 clips in 10 days.
They are from a string of his shows, including Strike It Lucky and Kids Say The Funniest Things – which drew millions in Barrymore’s 1990s heyday.
One clip was dated March 7, 2001, weeks before Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found floating in Barrymore’s pool.
The presenter’s bid for renewed fame comes as police move closer to completing their probe into the death. Stuart’s ex-wife Sue Homan, 47, said the star should focus his efforts on highlighting the £40,000 reward for information which could help cops.
She said: “Barrymore says he wants to help and wants justice. Instead of posting clips of old shows, he should be sharing the reward for anyone with information.”
Barrymore, 69, has 31,000 followers on Instagram and ended a 10-month silence on the platform by uploading 11 videos since May 31. He told fans: “Happy Bank Holiday! Been busy going through hours and hours of never-before-seen footage to share some clips with you.”
The videos, plus six more, are on his account with TikTok, which typically appeals to the under-25s.
A source close to Barrymore said: “He is active on social media at the moment. He basically wants to connect with his fans.”
Stuart was found unconscious in the pool at Barrymore’s £2million Essex mansion on March 31, 2001. He had injuries that indicated a serious sexual assault and died in hospital.
Barrymore and the other party guests – who have always denied involvement in Stuart’s death – were quizzed in March after the new arrest of a man. Detectives have sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.
A spokesman for the star said: “Michael has always fully co-operated with police and continues to do so.”