Michael Barrymore arrested

Detectives investigating the possible murder of a man found unconscious in a swimming pool at the home of television comedian Michael Barrymore today arrested the star and two other men.

Police said three men were being questioned at Harlow police station by officers from Essex Police’s major investigations team.

Barrymore is being quizzed about alleged drugs offences, the two younger men are being held on suspicion of murder.

Barrymore, 49, from Roydon, Essex, was seen arriving at Harlow police station shortly before 9am.

Witnesses said the comedian arrived in an unmarked car and said nothing to waiting journalists.

The police spokesman said a 49-year-old man from Roydon, Essex, had been arrested on suspicion of various drugs offences.

The spokesman said a 31-year-old man from Blackpool, Lancashire, and a 26-year-old man from Harlow had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Butchery worker Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, was found unconscious in a swimming pool at Barrymore’s home in Roydon, near Harlow in late March.

He died in hospital shortly after being discovered.

The police spokesman refused to confirm or deny whether the 49-year-old man being questioned was Barrymore.

The spokesman said the man had been arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and Class B drugs and allowing premises to be used for drug taking.

The statement said: "Officers from Essex Police Major Investigation Team at Harlow, who are investigating the death of 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock, have today arrested three men.

"One man, aged 31, from Blackpool and one man, aged 26, from Harlow have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

"The third man, aged 49, and from Roydon has been arrested on suspicion of possession and supply of a class B drug, possession of a class A drug and allowing premises to be used for the taking of a class B drug.

"Mr Lubbock was found unconscious in the swimming pool of an address in Beaumont Park Drive, Roydon, early on Saturday March 31 and was declared dead at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, later that morning.

"A post-mortem examination showed the cause of death to be immersion. Further toxicology tests were conducted, the results of which have been assessed. A major investigation was launched headed by Detective Superintendent Ian McNeill."