Michael Barrymore is to be called as a witness at the inquest into the death of a man whose body was found in a swimming pool at the star's home.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray announced her decision on Wednesday at a pre-inquest hearing in Chelmsford.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, of Harlow, Essex, was declared dead shortly after being found in his underwear in the pool at Barrymore's home in nearby Roydon on 31 March last year.

Post-mortem tests indicated he had drowned.

He had spent the previous evening at a nightclub in Harlow and had returned to the TV presenter's home in a taxi with the star and a number of other men.

Stuart Lubbock: Found unconscious in pool

Mrs Beasley-Murray said at the hearing: "I would like to express the court's sympathy to all the family upon the loss of Stuart, the father of two young children.

"I fully appreciate you have had to undergo considerable stress under a climate of intense media interest.

"This stress for you will probably continue until after the inquest is concluded."

The Essex coroner said Mr Lubbock had been taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow were full resuscitation procedures were carried out for about two hours.

No charges

In the weeks following Mr Lubbock's death, Mr Barrymore, 50, was arrested on suspicion of possession and supply of Class B drugs, possession of a Class A drug and allowing premises to be used for taking Class B drugs.

John Kenney, of Blackpool, Lancashire, and Justin Merritt, of Harlow, were arrested in connection with Mr Lubbock's death.

No charges were brought against any of the men.

Mr Barrymore was subsequently cautioned for possession of cannabis and allowing his premises to be used for the smoking of the drug.

A full inquest is due to be held in the early autumn.