Barrymore's home searched by detectives

A team of police officers this afternoon searched the Essex home of TV entertainer Michael Barrymore, where a 31–year–old man was found floating in the swimming pool.

Mr Barrymore will also have to wait up to two months to find out if he will be charged over alleged drugs offences after detectives uncovered new information, police said today.

The 49–year–old had his bail extended to a date in October after answering bail at a police station in Harlow.

A spokesman for Essex police said Mr Barrymore's bail was extended due to "new information" that had come to the investigation.

He was arrested in June 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.

His arrest followed the death of Stuart Lubbock, 31, a butcher's assistant from Harlow, who was found floating in a swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex, on March 31.

Two other men were arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr Lubbock. Justin Merritt, 26, from Harlow, and John Kenney, 31, from Blackpool, also had their bail extended until October after visiting the police station today.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said later: "As a result of new information received by the major investigation team investigating the death of Stuart Lubbock found in a swimming pool at a house in Roydon, Harlow Magistrates have granted Essex police a Section Eight Warrant under the Police and Criminal evidence Act 1984 which deals with serious arrestable offences.

"The purpose of the warrant is to carry out detailed forensic examinations and searches of a house in Roydon."