Yahoo News Michael Barrymore criticises ITV for not sticking by him
The presenter was sacked after a man drowned in his home
Michael Barrymore has criticised ITV for not sticking by him when he became embroiled in controversy after a man died in his home.
In March, 2001, Stuart Lubbock died in the pool of Barrymore's home and ITV subsequently terminated his contract.
Barrymore has always denied any involvement in the incident, and was never charged with any offence despite being arrested on several occasions, the most recent of which was in 2021.
Read more: Michael Barrymore has surprise resurgence as a TikTok star
In a new interview with the Daily Star, Barrymore says: "It’s strange that companies don’t employ innocent people. Maybe you have to be guilty to get a job in TV, I don’t know.
"From my experience they don’t employ innocent people. It’s unfair, of course. It’s terrible. You’re supposed to support people."
At the peak of his career, Barrymore was one of the most popular presenters on TV, fronting Strike it Lucky and a self-titled light entertainment show, both for ITV.
He commented on the impact getting sacked by the broadcaster had on him: "The amount of confidence you need to work the way I did at my peak was phenomenal and that took years to build up.
"When everything went my confidence was completely smashed. It has taken me 22 years to get that back.”
While presenting work evaporated for Barrymore in the aftermath of Lubbock's death, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 where he finished runner-up behind Chantelle Houghton.
Barrymore is now directing theatre in the West End with his current show Laurel and Chaplin receiving positive reviews. He also has a large following on TikTok with about 1.7 million followers.
The presenter began something of a career revival during the COVID-19 pandemic when he would host the board game version of Strike it Lucky for fans on Instagram.
Watch below: Michael Barrymore: Father of man found dead in star's pool calls for new inquest
