Stuart Lubbock murder: Man arrested over body found in Michael Barrymore’s swimming pool in 2001

Suspect detained in Cheshire on Wednesday, 20 years after victim was found unconscious in swimming pool

Detectives investigating the murder of Stuart Lubbock have arrested a 50-year-old man in Cheshire, Essex Police said.

Lubbock, 31, died following a party at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore, 68, in March 2001.

Essex Police said the man, who has not been named, was arrested “in connection with the indecent assault and murder” of Lubbock on Wednesday after “significant new information” came to light.

He was subsequently released on bail until 12 April.

Lubbock was found unconscious in the swimming pool of a property in Roydon on 31 March 2001.

The 31-year-old, who had been attending a party at the house with eight other people, later died in hospital.

Read more:

• Manchester Arena bombing: Police officer saw only one paramedic, inquiry hears
• Sarah Everard: Police search supermarket car park in Kent
• Cars set alight and daubed with racist graffiti in hate crime attack

A post-mortem examination showed he had suffered severe internal injuries which suggested he had been sexually assaulted. Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.

Barrymore was criticised for failing to answer questions at the inquest in 2002.

He also said he could not jump in and try to save Lubbock because he could not swim.

The coroner recorded an open verdict.

Barrymore, his former partner Jonathan Kenny and fellow party guest Justin Merritt were arrested in 2007 on suspicion of sexual assault and murder but were later released without charge.

Barrymore repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Last year he said: “I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.”

Additional reporting by PA