He invited seven locals including Stuart, whom he had never met before, back to his house. Alcohol, cannabis and cocaine were consumed. At 5.48am, the ambulance service received a call reporting a man found in the swimming pool.

Brother Terry Lubbock has called on the police to carry out new forensic tests(Image: PA)

Justin Merritt was the person who made the 999 call and was among the trio arrested in connection with the 2007 murder investigation. He was subsequently released without charge. The 2002 inquest heard that the former binman, from Harlow, was in a hot tub with Mr Kenney while Stuart was in the pool. Mr Merritt told the inquest: “He went into the pool and was dive bombing.”

Kylie Merrit was at the nightclub with her brother when they shared a taxi to Barrymore’s home for the party. A tearful Kylie told the inquest that the TV star had offered cocaine to party guests – a claim he denied.

At the time of Stuart’s death, Jonathan Kenney was Barrymore’s partner. The former drag queen told the inquest into Stuart’s death that he had been in the hot tub with Mr Merritt, and that when they left the hot tub to go upstairs, Stuart was still frolicking in the swimming pool.

Stuart Lubbock had suffered internal injuries(Image: PA)

Michael Cieran Barrymore was one of the UK’s highest earning TV entertainers at the time of the incident. He has recently attracted a new generation of fans with his TikTok videos racking up millions of views. Claire Jones was just 17 years old when she attended the party. Claire’s friend Kelly Campbell also joined after they met Barrymore at the Millennium nightclub in nearby Harlow.

Neighbour James Futers and Simon Shaw, who were familiar with the star, attended the party. Barrymore mentioned that he showed them his new extension, adding: “The last time I saw Stuart was when he was walking towards the whirlpool bath. A couple of girls and a couple of lads went there.

The pool at Michael Barrymore’s old home(Image: Channel 4)

Four pathologists couldn’t reach a consensus on an exact cause of death. Dr Michael Heath’s initial postmortem determined that Stuart had drowned after sustaining severe anal injuries.

Subsequent tests revealed that he also had marks on his face suggestive of potential asphyxiation. Ian Calder proposed “asphyxia due to physical obstruction of the airway” as a possible cause of death. The theory is put forward that Stuart may have died before entering the water. Jack Crane stated the injuries were “indicative of a serious sexual assault”. Heath later stepped down after a tribunal criticised his conclusions in two other cases.

Blood on the patio by the pool(Image: Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publicity purposes in connection with the current broadcast of the programme(s) featured in the national and local press and listings. Not to be reproduced or redistributed for any use or in any medium not set out above.)

Initially, the police didn’t treat the house as a crime scene, initially accepting the explanation that Stuart had drowned after consuming large amounts of alcohol and taking cocaine and ecstasy. Barrymore’s agent was granted access to the house on the day of the death.

Only after a postmortem discovered that Stuart had suffered severe internal injuries was a murder investigation initiated. The police watchdog found two potentially crucial pieces of evidence – a swimming pool thermometer and a door handle – were never collected at the scene and have since disappeared.

A swimming pool thermometer was never seized by police as evidence(Image: PA)

A total of 98 items were sent for forensic examination by police – including boxer shorts Stuart was wearing at the time and a bloodstained towel and bathrobe found beside the pool. Additional evidence analysed included hairs, fibres, sweepings, swabs, clothing, glasses, bottles, household items and tools.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission supported a complaint from Stuart’s father Terry in 2007 regarding the failure to test blood on the boxer shorts, towel and bathrobe. Essex Police declined to confirm this week when the most recent forensic review took place or whether it still possesses all 98 items.

In June 2001, Kenney and Merritt were arrested on suspicion of murder, but no charges were brought against them, or anyone else. Barrymore was cautioned for cannabis possession. A September 2002 inquest into Stuart’s death returned an open verdict.

The kitchen at Michael Barrymore’s house after Stuart Lubbock death(Image: Essex Police/Channel 4)

The pair were arrested once more, this time alongside Barrymore, on suspicion of murder and rape in 2007 but were subsequently released without charge. All deny any involvement in Stuart’s death. An unnamed man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder in 2021 but was also released without charge.

Stuart’s father Terry passed away a few weeks later aged 76 without discovering what happened to his son. He told the Mirror a month before: “I know somebody at that party inflicted those injuries on my Stuart.”

When informed Kevin wants a full forensic investigation, an Essex Police spokesperson stated: “We have never given up on finding out exactly what happened to Stuart, and we will continue to act on any new information to assist us in our pursuit of justice for him and for his family and friends.”

“As we have said repeatedly over the last two decades, nine people were at that party. We know that not everyone was responsible for what happened, but someone was. Anyone with information about Stuart’s death can always contact us, whether directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers. What we can say is that full reviews are conducted periodically as per force policy.”