Michael Barrymore

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Michael Barrymore
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Michael Barrymore

Michael Ciaran Parker (born May 4, 1952 in Bermondsey, London), is an English comedian, actor, and entertainer better known by his stage name Michael Barrymore. His lanky appearance and madcap, hyperactive personality made him one of the most popular presenters of game shows and light entertainment programs on British television, until the death of a partygoer at his house tarnished his image. He has since been trying to rebuild his career.

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[edit] Early history

His father was an alcoholic and a gambler. His late mother, Margaret (Maggie) Reilly, was an Irish emigrant from County Mayo, and worked hard to bring up Michael and his two siblings, John and Ann, almost single-handedly. He spent his early career working as a Redcoat at Butlins holiday camps before getting a break in television.

At the height of his popularity, Barrymore suffered increasing alcohol problems and in 1995 announced that he was gay, following which he split from his wife Cheryl, to whom he had been married since 1976 and who had been his manager for 20 years. They later divorced in 1997 and Cheryl went on to publish an autobiography which contained details of their acrimonious split. The couple subsequently had no contact.

On April 1, 2005, Cheryl Barrymore died suddenly at the age of 56, having been diagnosed with lung cancer just six weeks earlier. Shortly before her death she asked that details of her condition be kept secret from her former husband and also left instructions that he should not be invited to attend her funeral.

[edit] Death of Stuart Lubbock

On March 31, 2001, meat factory worker Stuart Lubbock died after being found floating motionless in a swimming pool during a party at Barrymore's house. His body had high levels of narcotics and alcohol as well as severe intense anal injuries[1]. Many tabloid newspapers accused Barrymore of holding drug-fuelled gay orgies in his home and asserted that he must have had some responsibility for the death. It was claimed that Barrymore had been seen at the party forcing cocaine onto Lubbock's gums [2], an allegation Barrymore denied September 30 New Evidence on Michael Barrymore Stuart Lubbock case to be revealed.Source:Lubbock Trust. [3]. Following a meeting between Barrymore and Lubbock's father in January 2006, a tabloid newspaper claimed that these injuries could have been sustained as a result of a nurse inserting a temperature probe into Mr. Lubbock fourteen times and not a sexual attack. A long police investigation, into allegations of any wrong doing by the Hospital, cleared the Hospital. Source: Harlow Star

Barrymore himself received a police caution for possession and use of cannabis, but no other charges were laid against him or anyone else in connection with the death. The inquest that took place in September 2002 reached an open verdict. On Barrymore's high-profile return to the UK in January 2006 to take part in Celebrity Big Brother, Lubbock's father Terry teamed up with Essex lawyer and local activist Anthony Bennett to pursue a private prosecution comprising six charges relating to the incident. The hearing for their summons was adjourned until after February 10 to give time for Barrymore's response [4].

On the 28 January, Barrymore met Terry Lubbock in person for the first time at a London hotel where they spent two hours together. It was widely reported in the UK media that both men ended the meeting on good terms with Lubbock stating "I don't hold you responsible for Stuart's death, I never have. I don't believe you had anything to do with what happened to him". It had also been reported in the days before the meeting that key medical evidence had not been presented in the original enquiry into Stuart Lubbock's death and that new statements from medical experts backed up claims Barrymore had made about events at the time.

At their private meeting, Michael Barrymore and Terry Lubbock were reported to have agreed to jointly demand the death of Stuart Lubbock be reinvestigated. Despite these reports, Lubbock's solicitor Anthony Bennett stated that he would still be pursuing legal action against Michael Barrymore unless Terry Lubbock instructed him otherwise. He didn't, and on the 10 February, a district judge at Southend Magistrates' Court blocked the action on the grounds of insufficient evidence being available for the case to continue.

On the 30 March 2006, Terry Lubbock spoke to the James Whale Radio Show on TalkSPORT where he revealed to the presenter that since their meeting he now has "an axe to grind" with Barrymore over his claims that the injuries sustained by Stuart Lubbock may not have occurred at Barrymore's house, but in the hospital he was taken to after being found in the pool. Terry Lubbock reiterated his belief that his son was assaulted in the house, though he did not cite Barrymore as the perpetrator. On the October 2 2006, Terry Lubbock accused Barrymore of being a liar during an appearance at Waterstones in Oxford Street, according to The Sun. [5]

In an interview with Piers Morgan in the December 2006 edition of GQ magazine, Barrymore claimed there were other witnesses to the events who were hiding information.

On 2 December 2006 police announced they were re-opening the investigation into Stuart Lubbock's death. [6]

[edit] Post-Lubbock career

The Lubbock incident severely damaged Barrymore's image as a wholesome family entertainer. Following the revelations of Lubbock's death, ITV terminated his contract and his UK TV career subsequently collapsed. A new series of Kids Say the Funniest Things recorded prior to the scandal was pulled from the ITV schedule and never broadcast. It has also been reported that the BBC cancelled publication of Barrymore's life story[7].

In September 2003, Barrymore staged a one-man show at London's Wyndham's Theatre, which closed after a few days due to scathing critical notices. He subsequently emigrated to New Zealand to live with his partner, Shaun Davis. In May 2004, he filed for bankruptcy as a result of unpaid tax debts. He has since tried to rebuild his career with live stage shows in New Zealand and Australia with moderate success. In 2005, he appeared in the stage musical, Chicago, in Napier, New Zealand.

Since returning to the UK, it has been announced that Barrymore will play the title role in Bill Kenwright's new production of Scrooge - The Musical. [8] The combination of the controversy attached to Barrymore's name and the family nature of the show have attracted much criticism of the producers and of Barrymore himself. This criticism could be seen as unfounded, since he has never been a danger to children and was never convicted of any criminal offence. Scrooge " It's Not Awight Yet Mike, Barrymore Show Blow. Slow ticket sales for his new show." Source: The People October 22, 2006.

[edit] Celebrity Big Brother and after

In December 2005, it was announced that Barrymore was being paid £150,000 by Channel 4 to take part in the British version of Celebrity Big Brother commencing January 5, 2006. On his entry into the house, Barrymore received a generally positive reception from the crowd which brought him to tears.

Barrymore initially showed signs of strain in the Big Brother house, particularly during the first few days. His time in the house will particularly be remembered for his difficult relationship with housemate George Galloway, which culminated in a 20 minute slanging match between the two men that became one of the defining moments of the series. The public clearly took to Barrymore, and on January 27, 2006, he finished runner-up to 'fake' celebrity Chantelle Houghton. Barrymore was visibly moved by the public support he had received when interviewed by Davina McCall after the show.

Remaining in the UK, Barrymore was booked to be the guest host on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project for the edition broadcast on February 3, 2006. Emerging from backstage to greet the audience, he was clearly moved by an undeniably enthusiastic and positive response, even having trouble with his pre-scripted lines until well into the show's first half as a consequence. [9]. He appeared alongside fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant Preston with his group The Ordinary Boys as the guest band, and swapped amiable banter with him during the band's introduction.

On 11 October 2006, Barrymore appeared on ITV1's The Sharon Osbourne Show, Sharon's dog bit Michael on the hand.

[edit] Strike It Lucky DVD

An interactive DVD of Strike It Lucky went on sale throughout the UK on November 13, 2006. Produced by Fremantle Home Entertainment, and with over 2,000 questions available, the original host of the show, Michael Barrymore, will provide links to the game play, which stays loyal to the format of its television equivalent. [10]

[edit] Catchphrase

His catchphrase is "Aw-wight!" (a London pronunciation of "All right?"), which he usually follows up with "Aw-wight at the back?". Sayings from Strike It Lucky which have caught on include "Top, Middle or Bottom?" and "What is a hotspot not?" (the answer to which is "Not a good spot!").

[edit] TV credits

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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