ITV rules out new Barrymore shows
ITV effectively signalled the end of Michael Barrymore’s TV career today by confirming there were “no plans” to commission any further shows from the troubled star.
His future had seemed doomed after an open verdict into the death of Stuart Lubbock, who died in the entertainer’s pool, and allegations about his actions.
And today the network confirmed there was no longer a place on our screens for the man who was repeatedly voted Britain’s favourite TV star.
It is understood that programme chiefs felt he could no longer be considered as a family entertainer after recent events.
A week-long inquest into the death of Lubbock, who was found in Barrymore’s swimming pool in Roydon, Essex, failed to explain how he came to die.
He had been found with severe anal injuries after attending a party at the property.
Barrymore refused to answer a number of questions during the hearing. Witnesses described how he had rubbed cocaine into Lubbock’s gums, although the presenter denied this.
An ITV spokeswoman said today: “We have consistently maintained that a final decision regarding Michael Barrymore’s future with the channel would be made following the inquest into the death of Stuart Lubbock.
“We have reviewed the position again and can confirm that ITV has no plans to commission any new programmes featuring Michael Barrymore.”
It is understood that a series of Kids Say The Funniest Things, shot before Lubbock’s death a year and a half ago, will never be shown.
Barrymore has not been paid since a series of his show My Kind Of Music screened in February which pulled in around 5.5 million viewers for its Sunday teatime slot.
TV bosses had stuck by the presenter as he battled with drink and drug problems.
Barrymore was treated at a clinic last year for his personal problems which came to a head after the death.
A year ago ITV programme director David Liddiment said he saw no reason to “abandon” Barrymore before the outcome of investigations into the death.
“When that process has taken its course, we’ll make a decision about what to do,” he said.
But an ITV insider said today: “We always said that in the end the viewers would decide whether Michael could return to television.
“Following the inquest, public opinion is very strong and given everything that’s happened his position as a family entertainer on ITV has become untenable.”
Barrymore became one of the highest paid stars on TV with a string of shows such as Strike It Lucky and My Kind Of People.
His career has often hinged on his effortless ability to interact with members of the public.
The inquest heard last week how Barrymore fled the scene after seeing the body in his pool.
