Michael Barrymore, 73, ‘could be earning £250k a year’ after becoming unlikely TikTok star in shock comeback – two decades after pool tragedy

Michael Barrymore might potentially make around £250,000 annually following his surprising resurgence as a social media sensation, marking a remarkable return to the spotlight.

73-year-old Michael, once a prominent figure in the UK, saw his lengthy career come to an end after the unfortunate incident involving Stuart Lubbock’s death in 2001, which took place at a party held at Michael’s residence in Essex.

Following the loss of his job at ITV in 2003, he became less noticeable until he made an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in January 2006 and surprisingly ended up as the runner-up.

Five years later, he faced another scandal when it emerged that he had been found with cocaine in his pocket following a police stop on his car. The initial charge of drunken and disorderly conduct was eventually dropped during court proceedings.

Regardless of past events, Michael has unexpectedly emerged as a beloved figure among Generation Z. Now, he’s known for his popular TikTok videos and YouTube vlogging.

Public Relations specialist, Lynn Carratt, believes he might earn over £250,000 annually, primarily due to his videos and partnership with Sports Direct, which potentially earned him £1,500 on its own.

According to one of Michael’s friends, Michael is enjoying himself immensely. Michael thrives on entertaining others, and although he might not receive as many television opportunities as before, by creating his own content, he maintains control over his work.

Initially, it was just a pastime he enjoyed online, but now it serves as a means to reconnect with his audience, share his humor, and return to something he cherishes, all while avoiding the stress and judgment associated with appearing on television each week.

In 2001, Stuart Lubbock tragically passed away under mysterious conditions after attending a party at Barrymore’s residence. This 31-year-old man, who was a father of two, had crossed paths with Barrymore in a nightclub that evening and later joined him along with eight others back to his house.

The individual was discovered unconscious in the swimming pool, later being declared deceased at the hospital. An autopsy revealed extensive internal trauma, which seemed indicative of a violent sexual attack. The authorities still suspect that this person was both raped and murdered.

Regardless of the extensive research conducted over the years, no charges have ever been brought against him, leaving his family still in the dark about what transpired.

Michael has always denied any knowledge of what happened.

In the year 2021, Terry, a relentless advocate for fairness who often caused trouble for Michael, passed away due to cancer. He was Stuart’s father.

Regardless of whether Barrymore, who left before authorities came, was implicated, it was Terry’s hope that he could have taken additional steps to uncover the truth and provide some resolution for the family in the future. Terry’s final wish was for the facts to eventually be revealed.

It was long believed that Barrymore’s career met its end concurrently with Stuart Lubbock. However, his association with ITV ended due to his persona becoming highly problematic, a state that had been deteriorating since he grappled with substance abuse and addiction issues even prior to the pool incident.

There were several efforts made to reclaim the spotlight, such as participating in Big Brother in 2006 and Dancing on Ice.

In 2022, the foundation for his TikTok presence was laid as he began sharing videos from his past on TV, such as excerpts from “Kids Say The Funniest Things”. Over time, his content has adapted, significantly keeping him ‘up-to-date’ and popular.’

His fans see him as not just Uncle Michael (or even Grandpa Michael), but as one of their own.

Michael has amassed a whopping 3.6million followers and a gargantuan 198 million likes on TikTok. 

It’s evident that even Sabrina Carpenter is a fan – she shared one of his videos, causing him to express excitement: “Wow, I just found out that Sabrina Carpenter recognizes me! I can hardly contain my enthusiasm at this moment!

Every day, his followers get to see various types of content such as videos showcasing his meals for the day, his choice of attire, brief vlogs, and unboxing videos featuring Labubu (assuming this is a specific product or toy).

He notes that creating and sharing content on TikTok, considered ‘wholesome’ by his followers, consumes most of his working hours, effectively making it a full-time occupation for him.

There had been whispers that he had a new companion, as pictures emerged of him with an attractive, younger man in Barcelona; however, his fresh start in Spain did not prove successful.

Last year, Michael shared that he was planning to leave the UK for Spain. However, barely two months after that announcement, he found himself nearly in tears inside his car, expressing feelings of longing for home.

Fans flocked to put a metaphorical arm around him, posting that he should just ‘come home’. 

She graciously proposed letting him use her extra bedroom, a gesture fitting for anyone unexpectedly left without a roof (though considerate, it might have been unnecessary given that the vehicle he was riding in was his own luxurious £75,000 Porsche Macan).

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2025-06-18 16:18