Michael Barrymore reveals showbiz comeback two decades after pool scandal – and he’s ‘happier than ever’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Michael Barrymore is now working inLondon’s West End (Picture: Getty Images)

Michael Barrymore has been quietly working on his return to the spotlight – and it’s an entirely new venture.

The former Strike It Lucky presenter, 71, who hosted various entertainment shows in the 80s, 90s and 00s, said he ‘hit rock bottom’ after Stuart Lubbock was found dead in his pool in 2001, but is now ‘happier than ever.’

After Lubbock’s inquest in 2002, which recorded an open verdict, Michael was axed by ITV, which effectively ended his TV career, and now, years later, he’s making a comeback as a theatre director.

The ex-Kids Say The Funniest Things presenter is helming the new West End production Laurel & Chaplin – The Feud, which is running at London’s Cambridge Theatre until August 28.

Opening up about his new career path, Michael said: ‘I didn’t know if I’d be any good at it, but I’ve found I’m a good director. It gives me as much of an adrenaline buzz as being up there.’

The Blankety Blank star, who previously struggled with alcohol addiction and drugs, also told the Daily Star he had overhauled his lifestyle and been sober for 14 years.

He explained: ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am now. I’m the busiest I’ve ever been and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

Michael also said he had overhauled his lifestyle (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘I am probably the fittest I’ve been, too. I walk a lot, I eat well and I do what I love. I’m 71 and I feel fitter than I was when I was 40 when I was drinking and all that.’

Lubbock died at Michael’s then home in Roydon, Essex, in March 2001 and a post-mortem found that he had suffered a severe anal assault conducive to rape with a foreign object before he died, which had caused severe internal injuries.

Michael, alongside the other two suspects, ex-boyfriend Jonathan Kenney and Justin Merritt, were all arrested in 2007 but were later released without charge.

Lubbock was found dead in Michael’s pool in 2001(Picture: PA)

The case into the swimming pool death remains unsolved (Picture: REX)

The TV star later took action against Essex Police, claiming his wrongful arrest had cost him about £2.5million in lost earnings, but Court of Appeal judges concluded he should receive nominal damages.

Essex Police arrested a man in March 2021 on suspicion of the indecent assault and murder and released him without charge in August. The case remains unsolved.

Michael has always maintained his innocence and in a 2020 Twitter video, he said: ‘I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever, and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.’

He also previously opened up about the death on an emotional episode of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, admitting: ‘I could not be more sad or sorry if I have to be for the rest of my life.’

Michael did enjoy a brief return to the spotlight in 2006 during a stint on Celebrity Big Brother, finishing second to Chantelle Houghton in the series.

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He later appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2014, discussing his marriage to former wife Cheryl, his sexuality, and admitted to viewers he had been ‘clean’ for three years without alcohol or drugs.

In 2020, Michael was due to appear on Dancing On Ice but had to withdraw after breaking his wrist.

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