Michael and Cheryl: Married in 1976

His childhood in Bermondsey, south-east London, was marred by unhappiness.

His father left home when Barrymore was 11.

He was later estranged from his mother.

He left school at 15 and worked as a Butlin's Redcoat and in the toy department of Selfridge's department store in London.

But his career only took off under the guidance of his wife Cheryl, who he met when she was a dancer in a West End show. They married in 1976.

His career really took off after winning the talent show New Faces.

Workaholic Barrymore is one of the best paid TV comics, making a name for himself on shows including Strike It Lucky.

Acting

When ratings slumped in the mid 1990s he took on new challenges such as My Kind of Music and Kids Do The Funniest Things.

Barrymore even tried his hand at acting in the television series Bob Martin.

He also played the dance captain in the Spice Girls big screen venture Spice World.

Barrymore recently split with long-term boyfriend Shaun Davis, 24, a former stockbroker, who he "married" at a ceremony 18 months ago.

The pair had previously told of their desire to adopt a baby.