Police probe Barrymore party death
A man has died in hospital after being found unconscious in a swimming pool at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore.
Essex Police said the man, who has not yet been identified, was attending a party at the TV presenter's house. They said they are keeping an open mind about whether the death was suspicious.
A spokesman for Mr Barrymore, who has spoken to police, said the presenter is very upset over this tragic accident and his feelings go out to the young man's family.
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, arrived at the house in Roydon at about 2.30am with friends. He had been at the Millennium Club in nearby Harlow.
He was found unconscious in the pool just before 6am, and the police and ambulance services were called. Police say he was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, but died at 8.32am despite efforts to revive him .
Essex Police spokesman Norman Hicks says it is not yet known if the man had been drinking, but he had decided to go for a swim during the party.
A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out at the hospital at 4pm today to establish the cause of death. Hypothermia is understood to be one possibility being considered by police.
Mr Hicks says: "Police are keeping an open mind on whether the death is suspicious and are anxious to establish the young man's identity."
He says officers have spoken to Mr Barrymore and his personal assistant and they were both "very co-operative".
Mr Hicks says the man was found wearing just a pair of light grey boxer shorts marked Outfit. He is described as white, 5ft 11in tall and aged about 25, with brown hair, blue-grey eyes and slightly overlapping front teeth.
