Michael Barrymore, born 4 May 1952, is a British comedian famous for his variety shows.

Contents

1 Early History 2 Television 3 Controversy 4 Career

Early History

Michael Barrymore was born in Bermondsey, London. His father was an alcoholic and a gambler.

Barrymore announced he was gay in 1995 and he split from his wife Cheryl, whom he married in 1976. Cheryl had also been his manager for 20 years.

Television

He has presented television shows such as Strike It Lucky , Barrymore , Kids Say The Funniest Things and My Kind of Music . His catch-phrase is 'Awwight!'.

Controversy

In April 2001 Michael Barrymore's home in Essex was searched when Stuart Lubbock drowned in his swimming pool after a party. Many tabloid newspapers labelled Barrymore a murderer, and accused him of holding gay drug-fuelled orgies in his home.

After months of police investigation, Barrymore was given a caution for the use of cannabis; no other charges were filed against him or anyone else. The inquest that took place in September 2002 reached an open verdict on Mr Lubbock's death. However, Mr Lubbock's father is seeking to sue Barrymore because he believes he failed in his duty of care.

Career

Following the revelations of Lubbock's death, ITV dropped Barrymore from My Kind of Music, and his UK TV career crumbled as a result. He has since tried to re-build his career with live stage shows in New Zealand and Australia.

Barrymore attempted to present a one-man show back in the UK in September 2003 at Wyndham's Theatre in London, but ticket sales were poor and Barrymore abandoned the show three nights into its run.

Barrymore now lives in New Zealand.

In May 2004 Barrymore filed for bankruptcy as a result of a tax bill accumulated over 10 years.