Michael Barrymore is embroiled in a furious argument with London shopkeeper over a packet of cigarettes as fallen presenter accuses staff of ‘making up a new law’

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Michael Barrymore realized adults can be just as amusing as children after overhearing a funny conversation while buying cigarettes at a liquor store on Tuesday.

The retired television host got into a tense argument with a shopkeeper after being told he couldn’t buy more than two items at once, due to legal restrictions.

Drew Barrymore, age 73, was upset when his request for four packs of Silk Cut purple cigarettes was denied because of new, unusual rules about selling tobacco.

While filming with his phone, a frustrated Barrymore explained that he’d recently purchased five of the items during a trip to Tesco.

In the UK, there isn’t a law limiting how many cigarettes a person can buy in a single transaction, as long as they are old enough to purchase them and the cigarettes are in their original, sealed packaging.

Clearly upset about being turned down, Barrymore quickly went back to the shop and argued with the manager again. This time, a small group of people gathered, recognizing him as the former TV personality from shows like Strike It Lucky and My Kind Of People.

He asked angrily, “Who’s stopping me? What rule says I can’t buy cigarettes? I’m allowed to buy ten packs, so why won’t you sell me just four?”

Visibly frustrated, the performer turned to someone in the audience and exclaimed, “Is this really happening? I’m a little worked up right now. What is going on? This is ridiculous! Can you believe this?”

A heated argument that happened in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, was shared by Barrymore on TikTok and has already gained over 8,100 views.

And followers were quick to side with the former TV personality.   

Someone playfully commented about a disagreement with their manager, while another joked that someone might have confused cigarettes with pain relievers.

Elsewhere, a third wrote: ‘You stand your ground Michael! Do they know who you are?!’ 

While a fourth correctly stated:  ‘There is no such law about buying in bulk.’ 

The presenter, once among Britain’s highest-earning celebrities, saw his long career come to an end following the unexplained death of Stuart Lubbock at a party he hosted in Essex in 2001.

After largely disappearing from public view, Michael Barrymore reappeared on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother in January 2006, ultimately finishing as the runner-up.

He tried several times to restart his career, but these efforts were frequently overshadowed by the continuing investigation surrounding Lubbock’s death.

From that year through 2019, Barrymore and several other people were arrested and interviewed by authorities several times.

Despite the initial arrest, no charges were ever brought against the celebrity. He later sued Essex Police for wrongful arrest, but after the court awarded him only a small amount in damages, he withdrew his larger claim for £2.4 million.

However, the TV personality is now actively managing his career by connecting with and growing a dedicated following on TikTok.

He’s a seasoned performer, previously known for his incredibly popular concerts. However, his career came to an abrupt end in 2001 when Lubbock was found dead in the pool at his Essex home following a late-night party.

He has always denied any knowledge of what happened.

The performer has gained 3.1 million followers on TikTok, and their profile describes it as ‘a very happy place to be…’

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2025-10-15 11:19