Michael Barrymore is taking part in Celebrity Big Brother

Tony Bennett is taking legal action against Mr Barrymore in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock in Essex.

The prosecution bid relates to alleged drugs offences. He gave the papers to Celebrity Big Brother producers. Mr Barrymore is appearing on the show.

Channel Four has refused to comment, despite repeated requests by the BBC.

On Monday, a judge at Epping Magistrates granted Mr Bennett permission to bring legal action against Mr Barrymore.

Assault allegation

The judge adjourned proceedings so the entertainer could be notified of the action.

But Mr Bennett had said he was unable to deliver the papers to Mr Barrymore personally.

On Thursday, he said producers of the show, which is based at a studio in Elstree, Hertfordshire, had accepted the papers.

Mr Bennett said the Lubbock family had served an application alleging six offences, four related to the misuse of drugs, one alleging drunk and disorderly behaviour, and one alleging assault on Stuart Lubbock.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow in Essex, died after being found unconscious in Mr Barrymore's swimming pool in Roydon in March 2001.