Michael Barrymore

Michael Barrymore (born Michael Kieron Parker on May 4 1952) is a British/Irish comedian, actor, and entertainer. His lanky appearance and madcap, hyperactive personality made him one of the most popular presenters of game shows and light entertainment programmes on British television.

Early history

Barrymore was born in Bermondsey, London. His father was an alcoholic and a gambler. His late mother, Margaret (Maggs) Reilly, was an Irish emigrant from County Mayo, and worked hard to bring up Michael and his two siblings, John and Anne, almost single-handedly. He spent his early career working as a RedCoat at Butlins holiday camps before getting a break in television.

At the height of his popularity Barrymore suffered increasing alcohol problems and in 1995 announced that he was homosexual, following which he split from his wife Cheryl, to whom he had been married since 1976 and who had been his manager for 20 years. They later divorced in 1997 and Cheryl went on to publish an autobiography which contained details of their acrimonious split. The couple subsequently had no contact. On April 1, 2005, Cheryl Barrymore died suddenly at the age of 54, having been diagnosed with lung cancer just six weeks earlier. Shortly before her death she asked that details of her condition be kept secret from her former husband and also left instructions that he should not be invited to attend her funeral.

Death of Stuart Lubbock

On March 31, 2001, meat factory worker Stuart Lubbock died after being found floating motionless in a swimming pool during a party at Barrymore's house. His body had high levels of narcotics and alcohol as well as anal injuriesMany tabloid newspapers accused Barrymore of holding drug-fuelled gay orgies in his home and asserted that he must have had some responsibility for the death. It was claimed that Barrymore had been seen at the party forcing cocaine onto Lubbock's gums ^*. Following a meeting between Barrymore and Lubbock's father in January 2006, a tabloid newspaper claimed that these injuries could have been sustained as a result of a nurse inserting a temperature probe into Mr. Lubbock fourteen times and not a sexual attack. A long Police investigation, into allegations of any wrong doing by the Hospital, cleared the Hospital.Source: Harlow Star. The injuries to my son Stuart happened at Michael Barrymore's home.source: Terry Lubbock. 16 July2006 Micael Barrymore in talks with Chris Evans over TV documentary to tell all on death of Stuart Lubbock. source: Daily Star on Sunday. Following a police investigation, Barrymore received a police caution for possession and use of cannabis, but no other charges were laid against him or anyone else in connection with the death. The inquest that took place in September 2002 reached an open verdict.

On Barrymore's high-profile return to the UK in January 2006 to take part in Celebrity Big Brother, Lubbock's father Terry teamed up with Essex lawyer and local activist Anthony Bennett to pursue a private prosecution comprising six charges relating to the incident. The hearing for their summons was adjourned until after February 10 to give time for Barrymore's response ^*.

On the 28th of January Barrymore met Terry Lubbock in person for the first time at a London hotel where the gentlemen spent two hours together. It was widely reported in the UK media that both men ended the meeting on good terms with Lubbock stating "I don't hold you responsible for Stuart's death, I never have. I don't believe you had anything to do with what happened to him". It had also been reported in the days before the meeting that key medical evidence had not been presented in the original enquiry into Stuart Lubbock death and that new statements from medical experts backed up claims Barrymore had made about events at the time.

At their private meeting, Michael Barrymore and Terry Lubbock were reported to have agreed to jointly demand the death of Stuart Lubbock be reinvestigated. Despite these reports, Lubbock's solicitor Anthony Bennett stated that he would still be pursuing legal action against Michael Barrymore unless Terry Lubbock instructed him otherwise. He didn't, and on the 10th of February a district judge at Southend Magistrates' Court blocked the action on the grounds of insufficient evidence being available for the case to continue.

On the 30th of March 2006, Terry Lubbock spoke to the James Whale Radio Show on TalkSPORT where he revealed to the presenter that since their meeting he now has "an axe to grind" with Barrymore over his claims that the injuries sustained by Stuart Lubbock may not have occurred at Barrymore's house, but in the hospital he was taken to after being found in the pool. Terry Lubbock reiterated his belief that his son was assaulted in the house, though he did not cite Barrymore as the perpetrator.

Terry Lubbock approached by a large publisher, for a book deal on the events surrounding Stuart Lubbock's death.Virginbooks have approuched, Harry Cichy, Terry Lubbock's Publicist. on a book surounding Stuart Lubbock's death.

Kylie Merritt Arrested

11 May 2006 Kyle Merritt arrested in the Lubbock case, on suspicion of perjury, and bailed until the 14th June 2006 when she must return to Harlow Police Station. She had said at Stuart Lubbock's Inquest, she saw Michael Barrymore rub cocaine on Stuart Lubbock's gums.

14 June 2006 Kylie Merritt Essex Police not to charge over perjury, what she said, at the coroners court: "I saw Mr Parker (Barrymore's real name) put some cocaine on his finger and rub it on Mr Lubbock's gums"

19 April 2006 Essex Police to review the Stuart Lubbock case. 22 April 2006 Michael Barrymore heads home from New Zealand.

Post-Lubbock career

The Lubbock incident severely damaged Barrymore's image as a wholesome family entertainer. Following the revelations of Lubbock's death, ITV terminated his contract and his UK TV career subsequently collapsed. A new series of Kids Say the Funniest Things recorded prior to the scandal was pulled from the ITV schedule and never broadcast. It has also been reported that the BBC cancelled publication of Barrymore's life story^*. In September 2003 Barrymore staged a one-man show at London's Wyndham's Theatre, which closed after a few days due to scathing critical notices. He subsequently emigrated to New Zealand to live with his partner, Shaun Davis. In May 2004 he filed for bankruptcy as a result of unpaid tax debts. He has since tried to rebuild his career with live stage shows in New Zealand and Australia with moderate success. In 2005, he appeared in the stage musical, Chicago, in Napier.

Celebrity Big Brother and after

In December 2005 it was announced that Barrymore was being paid £150,000 by Channel 4 to take part in the British version of Celebrity Big Brother commencing January 5, 2006. On his entry into the house Barrymore received a generally positive reception from the crowd which brought him to tears.

Barrymore initially showed signs of strain in the Big Brother house, particularly during the first few days. His time in the house will particularly be remembered for his difficult relationship with housemate George Galloway, which culminated in a 20 minute slanging match between the two men that became one of the defining moments of the series. The public clearly took to Barrymore and, on January 27th 2006, he finished runner-up to 'fake' celebrity Chantelle Houghton. Barrymore was visibly moved by the public support he had received when interviewed by Davina McCall after the show.

Remaining in the UK, Barrymore was booked to be the guest host on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project for the edition broadcast February 3, 2006. Emerging from backstage to greet the audience, he was clearly moved by an undeniably enthusiastic and positive response, even having trouble with his pre-scripted lines until well into the show's first half as a consequence. ^*. He appeared alongside fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant Preston with his group The Ordinary Boys as the guest band, and swapped amiable banter with him during the band's introduction.

Barrymore was recently named by UK newspaper The Star, as televisions most troubled soul.2 April 2006 Michael Barrymore proclaims in News of the World "I'll be King of Saturday night again." It is also reported that Barrymore will be on a Celebrity version of The BBC weakest link TV show. His agent, Tony Cowell, is quoted as saying,"People want him back on TV. Nothing has been finalised but a deal is not far off." Tony Cowell no longer acting as Michael Barrymore's publicist.source Tony Cowell.

23 June 2006 'No' Challenge TV deal for Michael Barrymore, TWI will not be proceeding with Michael Barrymore as host for the new Game Show 'Take It Or Leave It'. source: Bob Massie,producer, Challenge TV.

BBC Weakest Link

5 May 2006 Michael Barrymore records The Weakest Link Reality TV Stars special at Pinewood Studios hosted by Anne Robinson. Michael Barrymore was the second celebrity to be told by Anne Robinson 'You are The Weakest Link' 'Goodbye'. Other celebs included,Chantelle Houghton and Russell Grant. Terry Lubbock was a guest of the BBC and watched the recording of the show. 10 June 2006 Saturday 6.10 BBC 1 Weakest Link showing Michael Barrymore is screened. Terry Lubbock was also a guest at the show.Source:Terry Lubbock.

Take It or Leave It

31 May 2006 Michael Barrymore in talks for new game show. Produced by TWI for Endemol, challenge TV. 'Take It or leave it'. Source:Bob Massie TWI.

Michael Barrymore gets an invite to Chantelle & Preston's wedding in Essex in August.Source: tabloid newspapers.

Catchphrase

His catchphrase is "Aw-wight!" (a London pronunciation of "All right?"), which he usually follows up with "Aw-wight at the back?". Sayings from Strike It Lucky which have caught on include "Top, Middle or Bottom?" and "What is a hotspot not?" (the answer to which is "A good spot!").

TV credits

Now Who Do You Do? (1976)
Seaside Special (1977)
Cabaret Showtime (1978)
Starburst (1981)
Russ Abbot's Saturday Madhouse (1981)
The Michael Barrymore Show (1983)
Get Set Go (1984)
Strike It Lucky (1987) (Name changed to Strike It Rich from the 1996 season onwards)
Saturday Night Out (1988)
Mick And Mac (1990)
Barrymore (1992)
My Kind Of People (1995)
Richard Reeves' Mung Bean Salad Show (1997)
My Kind Of Music (1998)
Kids Say The Funniest Things (1998)
Animals Do The Funniest Things (1999)
Barrymore On Broadway (2000)
My Favourite Hymns At Christmas (2000)
Bob Martin (2001)
GMTV (2002)
The Salon (2003)
The Late Late Show (2003)
Celebrity Big Brother (2006)
The Friday Night Project (2006)

References

The New Zealand Herald Barrymore not to blame for son's death, says father ^*

External links

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