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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Michael Barrymore

585 replies

ChairsAndStairs · 06/02/2020 21:29

I’ve always wondered why his career was so badly damaged by what happened at his house.

It was awful that a man died, but he was never found guilty and it was never proved that he was in any way involved - as far as I remember.

He was so popular before and had a really strong career. AIBU to wonder why people turned against him so quickly?

I don’t mean this to be a goady thread, just generally wondering why he was the ‘only’ fall guy for what happened.

OP posts:
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6
Thedrowners30 · 06/02/2020 21:36

Because it happened at a party hosted at his house. That poor man suffered and died a horrible death for which justice hasn’t been served. Didn’t Barrymore also try and say that his internal injuries were caused at the hospital after his death?

The whole case just stinks to high heaven. I don’t think ANY celebrity could come out if That unscathed. Especially such a ‘family friendly’ personality.

CathyorClaire · 06/02/2020 21:37

He disappeared after the body was found. True he was never found guilty of anything but I think there's always been speculation he knows more than he's ever admitted.

dayswithaY · 06/02/2020 21:37

I don't believe he was the fall guy at all. He knows exactly what happened that night, his story makes no sense. Everyone present that night have all stuck to the same script to protect themselves. I believe at one point they tried to explain the internal injuries on staff at the hospital. Barrymore seems cold as ice to me, dear behind the eyes. Watching the documentary right now, jaw dropping.

Tolleshunt · 06/02/2020 21:39

He didn’t cover himself in glory by fleeing the scene, and somebody knows what happened. It might not be him, but where was he when all this was going on in his house?

OralBee · 06/02/2020 21:44

I don’t know lots about it but from the small amount I can remember I think he was quite self-pitying about it. Less ‘I’m so sorry this happened and I’m thinking of his family and friends at this difficult time’ and more ‘it wasn’t my fault and my career is ruined, it’s not fair this has happened to me’. So people didn’t exactly sympathise with him.

And that’s without the fact many people believe there was more to it and/or that he knew exactly what had happened.

Thedeadwood · 06/02/2020 21:46

I think it wasnt just the fact that someone died at his house and he literally ran away rather than face the police, it was also the fact that it exposed the “family” entertainer as being heavily into drugs and alcohol and other unsavoury relationships.

hennyspennys · 06/02/2020 21:49

I don't think many people would be able to shake off the impact of somebody dying at their house, it doesn't tend to make you party host of the century.

dayswithaY · 06/02/2020 21:51

He left his own house before the ambulance arrived. He said he couldn't swim but he could. Come on Michael.

Nicknacky · 06/02/2020 21:52

And there was the indication the deceased had been subjected to a sexual assault. So all in all, it was always going to be the end of his family entertainer image.

LaurieFairyCake · 06/02/2020 21:53

The man who died was subject to multiple anal assaults, a dozen different samples was taken from him - he was being drowned while raped (I think)

Anyone associated with that is never going to have a career again

Ffsnosexallowed · 06/02/2020 21:54

I think the real question is how the hell he and the others got away with whatever happened and why he's not in jail.

Redshoeblueshoe · 06/02/2020 21:55

Crickey unconsensual sex, and you don't see a problem ?

Ontheboardwalk · 06/02/2020 21:58

Agree with others, it was the fact he fled the scene and wouldn’t answer police questions

Disfordarkchocolate · 06/02/2020 21:58

I've no idea what happened but I'm aure he does. He did everything he could to avoid being open and cooperative.

Original poster
ChairsAndStairs · 06/02/2020 21:59

@Redshoeblueshoe it’s not that i don’t have a problem with it, of course I have a problem with it. It’s that no one knows for sure that it was Michael or if he was involved. But he seems to be the only one that was suggested as being involved because it was his house.

OP posts:
Natsel84 · 06/02/2020 22:00

No smoke without fire. whatever did happen that poor man died a horrible death which he didn't deserve.

LaurieFairyCake · 06/02/2020 22:01

I'm pretty sure it's like Murder on the Orient Express

ie. they all did it

Ffsnosexallowed · 06/02/2020 22:01

Of course he was involved. There we others involved too. If it had been a woman who had been raped and killed would you still think it surprising that his career took a turn for the worse?

Asvan · 06/02/2020 22:01

I just can't stand the fact that he tried to play victim and look for sympathy when it all came out. The man who died was someone's son/brother/friend and he showed no remorse whatsoever. Had he cooperated with the police from day one, it may have saved his career. He only has himself to blame. He's lucky he's not in prison.

Lalala205 · 06/02/2020 22:04

I've hosted and attended many house parties in my life, nobody died. It wasn't a case of he tripped, fell in the pool and drowned.

Redshoeblueshoe · 06/02/2020 22:05

MB first says - I got changed to go for a swim

MB later says I can't swim. There were only 9 people there.

I agree with LaurieFairyCake

Barkybarkynutnut · 06/02/2020 22:06

He was married to my Dad’s cousin for years. She was also his manager. Cheryl was terribly let down by him when he ‘came out’ in a club and took off his wedding ring and threw it into the crowd. She knew nothing. He was an arse but I don’t think he was a murderer.

Bluerussian · 06/02/2020 22:10

The biggest mistake Michael Barrymore made was to virtually run away, that looked suspicious. I'm sure he just panicked but it wasn't a good move. I agree with what the op said, nobody thinks MB actually murdered the poor guy or knows who did; I've often wondered why he has carried the can.

At a party in a big house with large surrounding gardens and a pool it would be easy to attack someone. Only whoever did it knows exactly what happened (I read there could have been two people), I imagine the police questioned guests afterwards but there could easily have been some not on the guest list or even gatecrashers.

WelshMoth · 06/02/2020 22:10

Maybe not a murderer, but certainly someone who has a disregard for others.

He fled the scene after a young man died. What innocent person does that?

Lalala205 · 06/02/2020 22:12

But to be fair you don't have to be a 'murderer'. You only have to be complicit in the unatural death of another person. If you know something went terribly wrong and then try to cover your own arse, it's still a crime by association.