Barrymore pool death: inquest opened

An inquest was today formally opened into the death of a man whose body was found in an outdoor swimming pool at the home of television entertainer Michael Barrymore, police said.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, a wholesale butchers supervisor from Harlow, Essex, died in hospital early on Saturday after being found at Mr Barrymore’s home in Roydon, near Harlow.

Police said post mortem tests showed that Mr Lubbock, who was single, had drowned.

Further toxicology tests are being carried out and the results of those will probably not be known for several weeks.

A police spokeswoman said today the inquest had been formally opened by a coroner and adjourned for a date to be fixed. The full inquiry into Mr Lubbock’s death will probably take place later this year.

Mr Lubbock is believed to have met Mr Barrymore in a night club in Harlow and returned to Roydon with the entertainer and two other people.

Police, who have interviewed Mr Barrymore, are questioning people who were at the night club and neighbours of Mr Barrymore in an attempt to build up a detailed picture of the incident.

Mr Barrymore was treated in a private clinic for stress over the weekend following the discovery of Mr Lubbock’s body.