Police to question Barrymore 'in next few days'

Michael Barrymore is to be questioned by police investigating the death of a 31-year-old butcher's assistant.

Police say the comedian will be interviewed as a matter of routine in the next few days about the circumstances leading to the death of Stuart Lubbock.

Mr Lubbock drowned in the outdoor swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex.

Mr Barrymore is receiving treatment for stress at the Marchwood Priory, near Southampton, Hampshire.

A spokesman for Essex police said Mr Barrymore will probably return to Essex to be questioned at a police station in the county.

"We are now at the stage where officers will be interviewing people in detail to try and build up a complete picture of what happened on the morning of Mr Lubbock's death," said the spokesman.

"Mr Barrymore will be one of the people we will question. He has already been spoken to briefly and has been very co-operative.

"I expect he will return to Essex to be questioned over the next few days."

A post-mortem has revealed Mr Lubbock, a wholesale butcher's supervisor from Harlow, died from drowning, but further tests will be carried out.

Described as a "pleasant, sociable" man by neighbours, he died in hospital after being found early on Saturday.

Police said they are still keeping an open mind about his death.