'Celebrity Big Brother' star Michael Barrymore is facing legal action over the death of a man found in a pool at his Essex home five years ago.
Lawyer and activist Tony Bennett went to court yesterday to bring a private prosecution against Barrymore, who recently returned to the UK to take part in 'Celebrity Big Brother'. The television entertainer had been living in New Zealand until then.
No charges were previously brought against Barrymore over the death of 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock, who died in hospital the morning after a party at the entertainer's home in 2001.
Lawyer Bennett said that he was bringing the case on his own account but that he had the full support of Lubbock's family.
"I am acting as a concerned citizen out of a feeling that Barrymore should account for his possible crimes that evening," he said.
Bennett asked a judge to summon Barrymore to answer six charges, one of alleged assault, four of alleged drugs-related offences and one of allegedly being drunk and disorderly.
The judge at Epping Magistrates Court in Essex adjourned the hearing for a few days in order to allow time for Barrymore or his lawyers to be made aware of the application.
Bennett yesterday went to the 'Celebrity Big Brother' studios to try to deliver details of the application to Barrymore but was unsuccessful as the contestants are not allowed to receive news from the outside world.
A spokesperson for Barrymore said: "We are currently unaware at this time of the exact detail of this proposed prosecution."
"But hopefully this may answer some questions for both Mr Lubbock, his family and Michael Barrymore."
Two people were previously arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lubbock but both were released without charge. Post-mortem tests showed that Lubbock had drowned.
