Michael Barrymore (pictured outside the High Court) is soon to return to ITV for the first time since he was axed from the channel 16 years ago
Michael Barrymore is soon to return to ITV for the first time since he was axed from the channel 16 years ago.
The TV star, 65, enjoyed great success with the channel, presenting shows like Lucky Strike and Blankety Blank.
But he was dropped by TV bosses in 2002 after Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex home.
Barrymore will be back on our screens at Easter to present an ITV3 documentary about the late Larry Grayson, who he used to perform before on The Generation Game.
Larry Grayson: Shut That Door will see Barrymore exploring the life and times of one of Britain’s best loved entertainers.
It will provide unrestricted access to Grayson’s personal archives, family photographs and unpublished autobiography.
Before his death in 1995, Grayson presented the iconic show from 1978, replacing the late Bruce Forsyth.
In the documentary, Barrymore tells of how much he learned from him and recalls going to parties he threw in Paignton, Devon, while he was still a hairdreser.
The 65-year-old says in a clip: ‘He had an amazing career out of just being Larry Grayson. He was unique. I was warm-up man for him.
‘He fumbled his way through the programme, you were never sure he was going to get through to the end of the show in one piece. But he always did.’
He gets to visit his dressing room at the famous London Palladium where he starred in the 1974 production Grayson’s Sandals, adding: ‘I know what the feeling is like, it is pretty amazing.’
The TV star (pictured in his hey day), 65, enjoyed large success with the channel, presenting shows like Lucky Strike and Blankety Blank. But he was dropped by TV bosses in 2002 after Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex home
Barrymore is currently pursuing a £20million legal battle against police for his wrongful arrest over Stephen Lubbock’s death.
His claim is calculated to compensate him for losing 17 years of lucrative TV roles he believes he missed out on due to bad publicity, reported The Mail on Sunday.
Before his career was derailed by the 2001 scandal, Barrymore was one of Britain’s most popular entertainers.
He believes that if he had not been arrested in 2007 over the death of Stuart Lubbock, he would have been a prime candidate for plum roles such as hosting Strictly Come Dancing. He was later released by police without charge.
A source close to Barrymore said: ‘All Michael wants is to get what he deserved.’
An open verdict was recorded over Mr Lubbock’s death at Barrymore’s home in Essex.
He will be back on our screens at Easter to present an ITV3 documentary about the late Larry Grayson, who he used to perform before on The Generation Game