'Sexual assault' theory on Barrymore pool death man

Police are investigating the possibility that the man found dead in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool may have been sexually assaulted before he died.

Detectives believe Stuart Lubbock, 31, had sex shortly before he died and inquiries are being carried out to determine whether or not it was consensual.

DNA and finger print tests have been taken as a matter of routine from Mr Barrymore and the other guests at his Essex home last Friday night.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police would only say that inquiries are continuing into the death and detectives are awaiting the results of toxicology tests. A source, however, added police are investigating a theory that he may have been sexually assaulted shortly before he died.

Mr Lubbock's semi-naked body was found floating in the outdoor swimming pool at the TV entertainer's home in Roydon at 6am on Saturday morning.

The father-of-two, who worked as a butchers factory supervisor, had met Mr Barrymore for the first time that night at a club in Harlow, Essex, and had been invited back to the millionaire's home for a party.

Paramedics were called to the house after his body was discovered but he was pronounced dead in hospital two hours later.

Mr Barrymore and the other guests have been questioned by police and are likely to be questioned again once the test results are known. Mr Barrymore is believed to be recuperating at Marchwood Priory hospital in Southampton.