Michael Barrymore has said he "could not be more sorry" over the death of a man in his swimming pool 18 years ago.
Mr Barrymore was one of the best-known TV stars in the country when 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock was found dead at his home in Roydon, Essex, in 2001.
Six years later, Mr Barrymore was arrested in connection with the death. He was released, but subsequently withdrew from public life.
Speaking on Piers Morgan’s ITV programme Life Stories, Mr Barrymore broke down in tears as he recalled the incident.
He also apologised for his behaviour that night but insisted he was "100% innocent".
Mr Barrymore won compensation from Essex Police last year for wrongful arrest.
During the interview, which is due to air on Saturday, Mr Barrymore said: “I could not be more sad. I could not be more sorry that this event took place.
“It was at my house and they don’t have all the answers to how he got these injuries.
“I could not be more sad or sorry if I have to be for the rest of my life.
“Of course it goes through my head and I want things different. I wish I could change it for them.”
He continued: "I can see lots of things in hindsight. I'm not making excuses. I f***ed up. I f***ed up.
“I was responsible for allowing people to come back to my house and to go out to the pool. All of them were . . . there were no children. Stuart was 31. You assume they was capable of looking after themselves.”
Recalling the events of 2001, he added: "That family deserves proper answers. No parent should have to bury their young.
"I had nothing to do with Stuart. I am innocent. I am not 99.9% innocent. I am 100% innocent and I am entitled to walk around with my head held high for the rest of my life."
Mr Lubbock's body was found in Barrymore's pool after a party where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had suffered serious anal injuries. In 2002, an open verdict was recorded at the inquest into his death.
Barrymore also rubbished claims made in the press that he had been hosting a "gay orgy", asking: "How do you have a gay orgy with four girls and five blokes, two of whom are straight?"
