Michael Barrymore has slammed "Poundshop detectives" on Twitter as he told of his "pain and agony" over the death of Stuart Lubbock.
The former ‘Strike It Lucky’ presenter fought back the tears as he questioned "how many times [he] is supposed to be kicked" by trolls, and admitted he has only got through the past 20 years because of the "massive support" he’s received from friends and fans.
Michael’s career was left in tatters after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder after Stuart’s lifeless body was found in his swimming pool in 2001. But he was released without charge.
He said: "The only reason I got through the last 19 years, coming up 20 years, is the massive support out there from fans and my close mates, and my fans are my mates. We’ve had this relationship for years.
"They grew up with me and they know me and they know I’m not a wrong’un.
"They, through their support, not all the ones from Twitter street – you know, the Poundshop detectives who take a bit of this and bit of that. ‘Oh, it’s a celeb who needs another kicking.’
"How many times am I supposed to be kicked? How many times am I supposed to take it? I’m not looking for sympathy.
"I’m a big boy and I’m going to hold my head up high and walk out on the street.
"I’m entitled to and it’s my right to."
The 67-year-old TV presenter insists he has been "as honest as [he] can" and has "never had anything to hide", and admitted that no matter "how bad" the situation is for him, it will never be "as bad" as it is for Stuart’s father and his family.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Britain’, he added: "I don’t know what to do, I really don’t know what to do.
"I’ve been as honest as I can. I’ve only got the one story. I don’t know anything else, otherwise I would’ve said.
"I’ve got nothing to hide. I’ve never had anything to hide.
"I’ve got every right to go out and to be employed and work in the business I work without every time being kicked in the teeth, just because I’m back on telly."
He also admitted: "It doesn’t matter how bad it is for me it’s never going to be as bad as it is for Mr Lubbock and that family. Never. I know that, and I’m aware of that.
"Why would I hide or keep anything and put myself through this pain and agony every time this comes up."
In June last year, Michael said he "could not be more sorry" about Stuart’s death.
Speaking to Piers Morgan on an episode of ‘Life Stories’, he said: "I could not be more sad. I could not be more sorry that this event took place.
"It was at my house and they don’t have all the answers to how he got these injuries. I could not be more sad or sorry if I have to be for the rest of my life.
"Of course it goes through my head and I want things different. I wish I could change it for them.
"I f***ed up. What more do you want? I f***ed up.
"I’m sorry. I could not be more sorry. I’m sorry for swearing. I do apologise. I’ve never swore in front of an audience.
"I was responsible for allowing people to come back to my house and to go out to the pool. All of them were . . . there were no children. Stuart was 31. You assume they was capable of looking after themselves."
But Michael insisted he doesn’t feel "remorse" over the incident because he didn’t do anything "horrific".
He said: "You know, some people say, ‘You did not show any remorse.’
"But the word remorse applies to when you have actually done something horrific. So how do you show remorse?"
Michael Barrymore tells of ‘pain and agony’ over Stuart Lubbock death
