Michael Barrymore quits UK to live new life in Spain after questions about Stuart Lubbock's death

Michael Barrymore has moved to Spain for "a new life" after years of unanswered questions around the mystery death at his Essex home.

Our exclusive pictures show him strolling around the town of El Papiol close to Barcelona with a male friend. On his personal TikTok he also titled a video with his puppy "Our new life in Spain" earlier this month.

A second video posted on Monday was called 'Week 1 in Barcelona' and Barrymore tells the cameras: "I said I was homesick but I realise now I was just fearful. What I really want is for our new life to work out. I've got into a bit of a routine now which is helping me to settle, I take Lara (his dog) for a walk to the beach every morning and then we find somewhere to have something to eat, a coffee or go for a walk around the town."

Barrymore, 72, added that he was exploring the local area and took a day trip to Girona. He said: "I have got so many towns and cities on my doorstep so I am going to sit down and plan where to take Lara next."

Barrymore put his London home on the market before heading to Spain, according to reports in July. The 967 sq foot flat is now also available to rent too, in a clear sign that the former entertainer intends to quit Britain for good.

It looks like Barrymore has relocated in Spain away from the UK where he has struggled to move on from the past. The entertainer was one of TV's biggest names when Stuart Lubbock was found in a pool at Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex in 2001 and he later died in hospital.

There have been years of investigation and several arrests, but no one has ever been charged in connection with the death. Barrymore – real name Michael Parker – was the king of British television in the 1980s and 1990s with shows including Strike It Lucky, My Kind Of People and Kids Do the Funniest Things.

He came out as gay in 1995 and left the home he shared with his wife. He later had alcohol and drug addictions, and received treatment in rehab. In 2001 the body of Stuart Lubbock was found floating in his swimming pool after he was among a group of people who had gone back to Barrymore's house following a night out in nearby Harlow on 31 March 2001. Mr Lubbock died later at Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospital.

A post mortem examination found he had suffered "horrific" injuries prior to his death and there was evidence of serious sexual assault, police said. Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream. Police initially believed he had drowned, but subsequent examinations of his body by pathologists found there was "no unequivocal evidence" that this was the case.

Essex Police said they have never - and would never - stop searching for answers. Last year a spokesman said: "As we have continually stated over the last 20 years - we believe someone, or some people, at that party know what happened.

"It is important to re-state the fact that Essex Police has never given up on this case and that the force are motivated by the desire to deliver justice for Mr Lubbock and his family." In 2020 Barrymore told ITV's Good Morning Britain he wanted a new police force to investigate Mr Lubbock's death.

Barrymore said he had not seen any of the other people at his house on the night Mr Lubbock died "since that day". "The wall of silence is because they don't know [what happened]. I do believe that," he said. "I've got nothing to hide. I've never had anything to hide. I've got every right to go out and work in the business I've worked in without being kicked in the teeth just because I'm back on the telly."

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