A man arrested on suspicion of the murder and indecent assault of Stuart Lubbock at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore 20 years ago has been released on bail.
Essex Police said the man, 50 – who has not been named, was arrested in Cheshire on Wednesday after “significant new information” came to light.
He was subsequently released on bail until April 12.
Butcher Lubbock, 31, had been at a party at Barrymore’s luxury home in Roydon with eight other people on March 31, 2001, when he died.
Speaking outside the Essex Police HQ in Chelmsford, Detective Superintendent Lucy Morris said: “The arrest comes after significant new information came to light following our renewed appeal for information and offer of an enhanced reward, which coincided with a major TV documentary broadcast in February 2020.
“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.
“We believe someone or some people at that party know what happened.”
She added: “We have never given up on finding out exactly what happened to Stuart, and we will not stop in our pursuit of justice.
“Nine people were at that party – we know that not everyone was responsible for what happened, but someone was.”
And in a renewed appeal for further information, she added: “Now is the time to come forward.”
The Channel 4 documentary in February last year prompted Barrymore, 68, to issue a fresh denial of any wrongdoing, saying: “I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.”
Lubbock had been clubbing in Harlow, Essex, with his brother Kevin when he met Barrymore and his entourage and was invited back to an after-party at the star’s mansion. The brothers had become separated and Kevin assumed Stuart had gone home with someone. Others at the party included Justin Merritt, a former refuse collector, and Barrymore’s then partner Jonathan Kenney.
A post-mortem found Lubbock had suffered “horrific” internal injuries and medical experts told a 2002 inquest that he may have been the victim of a serious sexual assault.
Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.
Barrymore was criticised for leaving his home soon after Lubbock was found floating in the outside pool.
The former television presenter, who became a household name for shows such as Strike It Lucky, has always denied involvement in Lubbock’s death.
Barrymore refused to answer some questions at the inquest in 2002, but said he could not jump in and try to save Lubbock because he could not swim – a claim disputed by others who knew the star.
The coroner recorded an open verdict.
The TV star repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, last year saying: “I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.”
Barrymore’s television career collapsed in the wake of the allegations, although he enjoyed a brief return to the spotlight during a stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.
In 2009, the police watchdog published the findings of a review of the investigation into Lubbock’s death, concluding that officers missed crucial evidence and did not ensure vital forensic tests were completed until six years later.
Lubbock’s father Terry, 76, told the PA news agency on Wednesday: “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.”