Barrymore pool death man died of 'immersion'

British police said that a man who died after being found in a swimming pool at the home of TV comedian and presenter Michael Barrymore died as a result of immersion.

The victim, who is believed to be in his early 20s, died in hospital early yesterday after being found in or near the outdoor swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex.

An Essex Police spokesman says the provisional results of a post-mortem examination showed that the man died from immersion.

He says further toxicology tests are being carried out by scientists, and the results of these tests may not be known for some weeks.

The spokesman says police hope to release the identity of the dead man later today. He said officers would be contacting the dead man's relatives before making his name public.

Mr Barrymore is said to have returned to his home with three other people after visiting the Millennium nightclub in nearby Harlow in the early hours of Saturday.

It is believed that he has been questioned by detectives about the incident.

Yesterday, Mr Barrymore issued a statement saying he was "very upset" about the tragedy and adding that his thoughts were with the family of the dead man.

Police were today again at Mr Barrymore's home, but there was no sign of the star who was said yesterday to have been staying with friends.