Barrymore show protest cancelled

Michael Barrymore is performing at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre

The father of a man found dead at TV star Michael Barrymore's house has cancelled a planned protest outside the celebrity's Edinburgh stage show.

Terry Lubbock was to protest over the death of his son outside the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Monday, where the entertainer is performing in Scrooge.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead at the star's Essex home in March 2001.

Mr Lubbock, 62, said he had to pull out of the scheduled protest due to a minor "family problem".

Essex Police announced in December 2006 they were reinvestigating the events at the house. The case remains open.

It followed calls from Mr Lubbock for a new inquiry.

Lead role

A lengthy investigation was initially carried out but no-one was charged with any offences in relation to Stuart Lubbock's death.

Since December Mr Lubbock has stepped up his campaign by confronting Mr Barrymore at a series of book signings and appearances.

He said: "Unfortunately we had to pull the plug at the last minute. It was a slight family problem and it was not convenient for me to go."

The celebrity, who used to draw 12 million TV viewers with his My Kind Of People show, is performing at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre in the lead role of the musical Scrooge.

Terry Lubbock's son was found at Mr Barrymore's Essex home

Mr Lubbock had been planning a protest outside the theatre, as well as watching the star perform in the show itself.

A coroner recorded an open verdict about Stuart Lubbock's death following an inquest in September 2002.

He had been among a number of people at a party at Mr Barrymore's home.

Post-mortem examination tests showed that he had suffered severe internal injuries which suggested sexual assault.

Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.

Recovering alcoholic, Mr Barrymore, 54, is performing at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre until 3 February.