Cheryl Barrymore, the former wife of TV presenter Michael Barrymore, is to publish her memoirs, including details of her 21-year marriage to him.

The book has been the subject of long-running negotiations, and follows last week's news that ITV will not commission any more shows from Barrymore.

The entertainer hit headlines after an inquest was held into the death of a partygoer, Stuart Lubbock, at his house.

Police are currently investigating claims, made by Barrymore's former wife, that the entertainer lied during the inquest into Mr Lubbock's death.

An open verdict was recorded into Mr Lubbock's death

She said he had not told the truth he told the inquest he could not swim.

Barrymore's future career has been clouded by the death of Mr Lubbock, 31, after he was found unconscious in Barrymore's swimming pool at his home in Roydon, Essex in March last year.

A week-long inquest into the death of Mr Lubbock recorded an open verdict.

A post-mortem examination revealed high levels of alcohol and drugs in his system and injuries which may have been caused by a serious sexual assault.

Following the inquest, ITV, which had previously refused to make a decision on the once popular star, decided that after recent events Barrymore could no longer be considered a family entertainer.

Autobiography shelved

Last week, BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said she thought the entertainer would find it difficult to rebuild his career.

"I'm not sure that viewers would accept him," she said.

BBC Worldwide also indefinitely shelved plans to publish his autobiography, commissioned in October 2000.

Barrymore, the former presenter of ITV entertainment shows Kids Say the Funniest Things and My Kind of Music, was voted the UK's favourite TV star several times.

'In the pipeline'

He became one of the highest-paid stars on TV with a string of shows such as Strike It Lucky and My Kind Of People.

Cheryl Barrymore's book will be published by Robson Books - one of a number of publishers owned by Chrysalis.

A spokeswoman for Chrysalis said: "I can confirm that Robson Books will be publishing Mrs Barrymore's autobiography.

"It's been in the pipeline for months."