New probe into Barrymore pool death launched

Detectives are today starting a new investigation into the death of a butcher whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore more than five years ago.

Police said they had decided to launch a fresh inquiry into the death of 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock after reviewing the original investigation.

The Lubbock family's lawyer said detectives had identified 10 "specific and promising lines of inquiry".

Mr Lubbock, 31, of Harlow, Essex, was declared dead shortly after being found in his underwear in the pool at Barrymore's home in nearby Roydon on March 31 2001. Post-mortem tests showed he had drowned.

Mr Lubbock's father Terry - and Mr Barrymore - made an impassioned plea for witnesses to come forward. "I have waited nearly six years to find out what happened to my son," he said.

"There were several people at that house on the night he died and somebody knows something. None of them has ever come forward to tell us or the police the whole truth. I hope that is pricking their conscience.

"All I want to know is the truth about what happened to my son and why he died. I beg someone to have the courage and come forward and tell the truth.

"They must know it won't ever go away. The people who know what happened will have it on their minds forever."

Mr Barrymore, who is appearing in Scrooge at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, added: "I am delighted and thrilled and I will give my full support and hope the case can come to some conclusion for everyone's sake."

He said he was "willing to give every single assistance I can to bring closure to this matter".