Michael Barrymore is one of Britain's favourite entertainers. His appearances on Saturday night TV in the 1980s and 90s were unforgettable and the relationship he built with the audience unique. However, following the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock in Michael's swimming pool in 2001, his career ground to a halt. AWIGHT NOW is Michael's story. He takes us through his rollercoaster life, from his poor London childhood, his work as a Butlin's Redcoat, through to TV and tabloid fame. At the height of his popularity, he suffered increasing alcohol problems and split from his wife of twenty years, Cheryl. In the fall-out, he admitted that he was homosexual and endured horrendous press intrusion into his private life. Then in 2001, came the terrible death of Stuart Lubbock. Michael tells of his despair following the tragedy and how his world fell apart. Despite tabloid rumours, Michael had no involvement with the death and has never been arrested or charged. Since 2001, Michael has endured some dark moments but through determination and the love of his friends, he is now picking up the pieces. His remarkable TV comeback on Celebrity Big Brother has catapulted him back into the spotlight and assured him that the British public want him back.
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By The Crusader
Format:Paperback
This is a very frank appraisal of Michael Barrymore's life by the man himself. Far from being glossed over, as one of the previous reviewers seems to feel, I would say that there is an awful lot of information regarding the Lubbock tragedy. Certainly a lot more, and more accurate, detail than was ever given in the tabloid press. The book gives an insight into the real Barrymore (Parker), but what is most notable is that Michael does not appear to be looking for sympathy; but merely to put his side of the story across...and it appears to be (yet another) one that has been grossly misrepresented by the British press.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Galning
Format:Paperback
I think I ought to say first that I've never been a particular fan of MB, could always take or leave him. But I found this book fascinating. Typical of many clowns he had a tragic life, spent his first 40 odd years trying to please everyone around him (even down to marrying Cheryl, when he'd clearly been gay all his life) and ended up trying to blot out his life with drink and drugs.
I don't agree with the person who said he was unfair on Cheryl. How could she tell blatant lies about him (like saying he could swim, when he couldn't - which contributed to the press furore around the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock). That was one bitter woman.
So, to the Stuart Lubbock story. I remember reading the stories at the time and not being quite comfortable about how easily MB was portrayed as this voracious sexual predator. Having now read all the evidence his legal team seems to have assembled (that they allege has been ignored by the police) you can't help but wonder whether this guy has been the victim of a huge miscarriage of justice.
How can a man who was supposedly viciously raped be found drowned in a pool, still wearing his boxer shorts and with no signs of blood? How comes the medical staff who worked on him for HOURS and inserted an anal thermometer at least 16 times saw none of the trauma that the coroner did?
If it is at all possible that Stuart Lubbock merely drowned after doing drugs and tagging along to the house of a famous bloke for a few drinks then there were 2 victims that night.
Yes, it's probably not right to be judge and jury based on a book written by the "accused". But nor was it right for the press to leap to conclusions and print all the sordid details on so few facts.
It is all very sad and leaves a nasty after taste. But a fascinating book.
I don't agree with the person who said he was unfair on Cheryl. How could she tell blatant lies about him (like saying he could swim, when he couldn't - which contributed to the press furore around the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock). That was one bitter woman.
So, to the Stuart Lubbock story. I remember reading the stories at the time and not being quite comfortable about how easily MB was portrayed as this voracious sexual predator. Having now read all the evidence his legal team seems to have assembled (that they allege has been ignored by the police) you can't help but wonder whether this guy has been the victim of a huge miscarriage of justice.
How can a man who was supposedly viciously raped be found drowned in a pool, still wearing his boxer shorts and with no signs of blood? How comes the medical staff who worked on him for HOURS and inserted an anal thermometer at least 16 times saw none of the trauma that the coroner did?
If it is at all possible that Stuart Lubbock merely drowned after doing drugs and tagging along to the house of a famous bloke for a few drinks then there were 2 victims that night.
Yes, it's probably not right to be judge and jury based on a book written by the "accused". But nor was it right for the press to leap to conclusions and print all the sordid details on so few facts.
It is all very sad and leaves a nasty after taste. But a fascinating book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Ann
Format:Audio CD
I bought this on audio CD as it was read by the Michael himself.
I found it very interesting and it does 'Set the record straight'. The book is very revealing, and informative.
I feel I understand his personality better.
I always felt there were two sides to every story, and the press were out to get him.
Would recommend this CD/Book to anyone who has an 'opinion'.
I found it very interesting and it does 'Set the record straight'. The book is very revealing, and informative.
I feel I understand his personality better.
I always felt there were two sides to every story, and the press were out to get him.
Would recommend this CD/Book to anyone who has an 'opinion'.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT !!!!!
I loved this book.. i was laughing out loud in places and it is very well written and also fascinating.. i couldnt put it down and read it beginning to end in a day. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2010 by Mrs. L. Stocks
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
This book is full of interesting facts about Barrymore's life. His tales of his rise to fame are hilarious to the point of laughing out loud. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2007 by J. WALKER
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Man
Brought this book out of interest and found out what an amazing man he is, he has been through so much, how sad that we have lost him to New Zealand! Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2007 by J. Hunt
1.0 out of 5 stars
Michael Barrymore Awight Now
Very disspointed with Michael Barrymore's book, it would seem the whole story on the dreadfull Lubbock case has not been told by Michael Barrymore. Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2006 by Joe Muminkow
5.0 out of 5 stars
I just met the real Barrymore, Warts and all
An interesting book but one I purchased out of curiosity I wondered as I read it how Stuarts family would react reading details about his last minutes. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2006 by S. Wallace
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
