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STRIKE IT UNLUCKY

Grey-haired Michael Barrymore pictured smoking a cigarette as he queues for a bus in London

SILVER-haired Michael Barrymore looks far from Awight as he puffs on a cigarette while waiting for a bus.

The former My Kind of People host, 65, was just another face in the crowd as he stood glumly on the pavement before boarding a number 207 in West London.

 Michael Barrymore cuts a lonely figure as he puffs on a cigarette while waiting for a London bus
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Michael Barrymore cuts a lonely figure as he puffs on a cigarette while waiting for a London busCredit: TILLENDOVE
 The former telly superstar looked far from Awight as he stood glumly on the pavement
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The former telly superstar looked far from Awight as he stood glumly on the pavementCredit: TILLENDOVE
 Other passengers appeared not to recognise Barrymore, once one of Britain's best-loved entertainers
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Other passengers appeared not to recognise Barrymore, once one of Britain's best-loved entertainersCredit: TILLENDOVE.COM

Other passengers appeared not to recognise the 90s telly superstar — once one of Britain's best-loved and highest-paid entertainers.

The ageing funnyman cut a lonely figure as he made use of his free pensioner bus pass dressed in chinos and a casual jacket.

Barrymore was ditched by ITV after Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in his swimming pool in 2001.

No one has ever been charged in relation to his death.

Barrymore — catchphrase "Awight!" — had been at the height of his career presenting the hit game show Strike It Lucky and hosting his own chat show and several Royal Variety Performances.

Since then he has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 and the following year he was a guest presenter on Channel 4’s The Friday Night Project.

But his career never recovered and in 2007 he was quizzed on suspicion of rape and murder over the death of Mr Lubbock, who had suffered injuries consistent with sexual assault.

 Michael Barrymore is seeking £2.5million compensation after he was arrested over the death of a partygoer at his home in 2001
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Michael Barrymore is seeking £2.5million compensation after he was arrested over the death of a partygoer at his home in 2001
 Stuart Lubbock's body was found floating in Barrymore's pool with injuries consistent with rape
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Stuart Lubbock's body was found floating in Barrymore's pool with injuries consistent with rape
 Stuart’s father Terry believes his son was murdered and hopes cops do not pay Barrymore a penny
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Stuart’s father Terry believes his son was murdered and hopes cops do not pay Barrymore a penny

Last year Barrymore launched a bid for £2.5 million for wrongful arrest and loss of earnings - but Essex police say he deserves only a token £1.

A High Court judge is expected to rule on the case this summer.

Stuart’s dad Terry, 71, told The Sun: “Nothing Barrymore does surprises me, that man has got no shame. Hopefully he’ll end up with nothing.”

Barrymore, who sued under his real name Michael Parker, has lived in New Zealand in recent years.

In 2011 he was fined for possessing cocaine after he launched a foul-mouthed rant at cops who nicked him when he refused to say who was driving a car that smashed into a pavement.

Ealing magistrates heard he told the officers: “Don’t you think I’ve had enough f****** s*** off you lot over the years?”

In March we reported Barrymore is set to make a shock comeback on our screens in a new sitcom.


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