Michael Barrymore is suing Essex police for arresting him after the incident in which a man was found dead in his swimming pool following a party.
It is understood that Barrymore, 63, is seeking damages for the harm to his career over the arrest on suspicion of murdering Stuart Lubbock, whose body was found at Barrymore’s home in March 2001.
Lubbock had met TV entertainer Barrymore and his entourage at a nightclub earlier that evening, and there was evidence he drank and took drugs during the all-night party at the entertainer’s home. While Lubbock died from drowning, examination of his body found severe internal injuries, suggesting he had been the victim of a serious sexual assault.
Barrymore fled his home when Lubbock’s body was found, but said he was merely panicked rather than trying to run away.
Two other men were arrested on suspicion of murder in June 2001, but not charged. An inquest the next year recorded an open verdict. Essex police arrested Barrymore in 2007 on suspicion of murder, also holding the two men arrested previously, Jonathan Kenny, Barrymore’s former partner, and Justin Merritt, a refuse collector.
The men were questioned at length but were later told they would not face any charges.
While Barrymore has consistently said he had nothing to do with Lubbock’s death, the incident marked the end of what had previously been a high-profile TV career hosting shows such as My Kind of People.
After a spell in New Zealand, Barrymore returned to the UK in 2006 to appear on Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother.
He has faced a campaign from Lubbock’s father, Terry, who accuses Barrymore of not telling everything he knows about events connected to the death.
Essex police confirmed they had received a writ from Barrymore’s lawyers. A spokeswoman said: “As civil proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for Essex police to comment.”
