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'Harrowing' New Michael Barrymore Documentary ‘Body In The Pool’ Presents Shocking New Evidence

'Harrowing' New Michael Barrymore Documentary ‘Body In The Pool’ Presents Shocking New Evidence

This is a disturbing watch.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

Nineteen years after Stuart Lubbock was found dead in TV star Michael Barrymore's swimming pool, Channel 4's new documentary on the incident has left people as shocked and horrified as they were at the time.

The 31-year-old meat factory worker was discovered unconscious in the entertainer's £2million Essex home in 2001 after a wild party, with a post-mortem examination in the aftermath showing he had been anally raped and suffered horrendous injuries.

Now, the new documentary has shone fresh light on the infamous case, presenting "harrowing" never-before-seen evidence - such as the 999 call for the ambulance to the analysis of Lubbock's injuries - and leaving many viewers shell shocked and disturbed.

Reliving the dark events of that night on 31st March the programme interviewed all of those closest to the case, from the Lubbock family, to multiple lawyers, forensic pathologists and police officers.

Plus, it also spoke to journalists, Barrymore's ITV boss, as well as the taxi driver who drove Barrymore - then the biggest name in showbusiness - and Lubbock back to his home.

Michael Barrymore's party is coming under the microscope once again (
PA)

As the story was retold in painful detail, viewers took to social media to express just how much the case was still affecting them.

"Holy sh*t, watching the Michael Barrymore body in the pool documentary Channel 4 is harrowing," one wrote.

As another agreed: "Just watched the documentary on the death of Stuart Lubbock at Michael Barrymore's Party. Very disturbing."

A third wrote: "Just been watching The Michael Barrymore documentary on Channel 4. Very Harrowing, remember it being all over the news and the papers at the time. R.I.P Stuart Lobbek (sic)".

While the whole desperately sad story of Lubbock's death is one that has been widely reported over the years, the documentary, which pulled in 1.7million viewers as it aired, offered an abundance of fresh insight into the case.

Stuart Lubbock's father Terry appears in the doc (
Channel 4)

The first was the 999 call for an ambulance, which was examined as evidence at the time, but had never before been played to the public.

In the chilling newly released audio, we hear one of party-goers tell the operator he wants an ambulance to come to Beaumont Park Drive, Roydon, Essex.

The time of the phone call was 05:48am, and the caller could be heard saying: "A geezer's drowned in the pool".

When, shocked, the operator replied: "Right...Sorry?"

Stuart Lubbock was found in Barrymore's pool (
Channel 4)

He repeated: "A fella's drowned in the pool," before later adding: "I tell you what mate. The first time I've been out in four f**king years. I have my kids every weekend and... F**king hell.

"You don't expect it do you?"

While the second major new detail were the interviews in which experts described Lubbock's injuries in chilling detail.

Police initially believed that Stuart had drowned after drinking heavily and taking cocaine and ecstasy.

However, their theory soon changed after a pathologist told the inquest into his death that he had suffered severe internal injuries consistent with a "serious sexual assault."

Stuart Lubbock's injuries were described in horrific detail (
PA)

The pathologists added that they suspected Lubbock had died of a cardiac arrest - which possibly occurred during a non-consensual sexual act.

Speaking to the court in 2002, Professor Jack Crane said: "We have the death of a young man which, in my view, is not clear-cut.

"The injuries this young man suffered were very severe and I do not believe they were the result of a consensual sexual act - that is why, in my report, I have said they were the result of a serious sexual assault.

"I do not rule out the possibility of asphyxiation or cardiac arrest occurring during some sort of non-consensual sexual act. Why would a fit, healthy young man drown in a swimming pool? There must be other factors involved."

Barrymore was at the height of showbiz fame when the incident took place (
Channel 4)

Barrymore, now 67, was arrested alongside two other men following the death - his ex-lover Jonathan Kenney and dustman Justin Merritt.

While they all deny any wrongdoing and were released without charge, police say the three have not been "completely eliminated" from inquiries.

Five others at the party that night were Merritt's younger sister Kylie, chef James Futers, and Barrymore's neighbours, Simon Shaw, Claire Jones, then 17, and Kelly Campbell.

At the time, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings told a press conference: "One or more of the eight people at this party are responsible for Stuart's death."

Michael Barrymore released a statement (
Twitter/ Michael Barrymore)

However, in a fresh statement ahead of the release of Channel 4's documentary, Barrymore once again protested his innocence.

He said, as always, he sent his "heartfelt sympathies" to the victim's family.

Claiming he had been "bashed and bullied" ahead of the programme airing, Barrymore added: "I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever... I may comment further once I've seen the show go out later tonight.

"In the meantime, my heartfelt sympathies are with the Lubbock family and I truly hope they find peace.

"And it is for that reason that I have constantly pressed for an independent police force to examine everything to do with the case and reach a proper conclusion and I shall continue to do so."

Barrymore: The Body In The Pool, is available to watch on All4 now.

Featured Image Credit: Channel 4

Topics: News, TV News, TV Entertainment, Channel 4