Essex Police have arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock at the home of Michael Barrymore 20 years ago.
Lubbock, 31, was found floating in the pool at the TV presenter's home, having suffered a serious sexual assault at some point during an impromptu party with eight other people.
Barrymore, whose career in the entertainment industry effectively ended as a result of Lubbock's death, has consistently denied any knowledge of what happened to him on the night in question.
In February 2020, Essex Police launched a fresh appeal after Channel 4 aired the documentary Barrymore: The Body In The Pool and as a result of "significant new information" coming to light, an arrest was made on Wednesday.
Det Supt Lucy Morris said: "This information has led to us making an arrest and over the coming days we will be contacting all those who were present at the party at the time as well as others who may have information.
"As we stated last February and have continually stated over the last 20 years, we believe someone or some people at that party know what happened."
Stuart's father Terry Lubbock, who is now terminally ill with just months to live, said: "There is just so much going on in my head, I can't get my head around it. Of course I'm happy.
"Of course this is good news. But it's been 20 years. This has nearly killed me."
Police confirmed that the man arrested in the case was released on bail later on Wednesday.
Neil Wilkes
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