Who is Michael Barrymore? Comedian, TV presenter and Dancing on Ice 2020 contestant

MICHAEL Barrymore has been named as one of the stars taking part in this year's Dancing On Ice, it has been confirmed.

The English comedian found himself in a number of headlines this year, so we've gathered all the important bits you need to know…

When is will Michael be on ITV's Dancing On Ice?

On September 24, ITV announced that Michael, alongside Love Island star Maura Higgins, would both be competing in the forthcoming series of Dancing On Ice.

They are the first celebrities that the network has confirmed so far, with plenty more to follow in weeks to come.

The comedian seemed pleased to be joining the popular family show, having told This Morning: "I'm delighted to say that I'll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I'm very excited…it's performance time!"

He then joked: "Dave's not doing it," as he cuddled his adorable dog during the video."

The 65-year-old returned to screens in an ITV3 documentary about camp comedy legend Larry Grayson, his former mentor.

Who is Michael Barrymore?

Michael Ciaran Parker, known by his stage name Michael Barrymore, was born in Bermondsey, London.

Barrymore is a comedian and TV presenter who hosted shows in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

The Strike It Lucky frontman was axed by ITV in 2002 after the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock in the swimming pool of the star's Essex home.

He rose to fame through appearances on Blankety Blank and Who Do You Do before getting his own sketch show.

What happened to Stuart Lubbock?

A post-mortem examination of Stuart Lubbock found he had suffered severe internal injuries that suggested he was sexually assaulted.

Lubbock and others had been enjoying an all-night party at the mansion.

Barrymore was arrested over the death in 2007 but the case against him was dropped three months later.

Lubbock's death is still an unsolved murder investigation.

Michael, 67, poured out his heart on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and confessed he now lives the life of a recluse, with his Jack Russell Dave his only companion.

He apologised for the first time over the death of party guest Stuart Lubbock in his pool and admitted: “I f***ed up.”

In a tearful and emotional interview, Michael said: “I could not be more sad. I could not be more sorry that this event took place.

“It was at my house and they don’t have all the answers to how he got these injuries. I could not be more sad or sorry if I have to be for the rest of my life.

“Of course it goes through my head and I want things different. I wish I could change it for them.

“I f***ed up. What more do you want? I f***ed up.

“I’m sorry. I could not be more sorry. I’m sorry for swearing. I do apologise. I’ve never swore in front of an audience.

“I was responsible for allowing people to come back to my house and to go out to the pool. All of them were . . . there were no children. Stuart was 31. You assume they was capable of looking after themselves.”

When did Barrymore's wife Cheryl die?

Cheryl Cocklin, known as Cheryl Barrymore, married Michael in 1976.

The pair met Barrymore two years earlier, during her time in West End theatre shows.

Cheryl and Michael divorced in 1997, after becoming estranged.

After this her health began to deteriorate. In 2003, she suffered a burst ulcer.

On April 1 2005, Cheryl died aged 55, after being diagnosed with lung cancer six weeks earlier.

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