MYSTERY last night still surrounded the death of a man found in TV star Michael Barrymore's swimming pool.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, a wholesale butcher's supervisor, from Harlow, Essex, died in hospital after being discovered at Mr Barrymore's home in Roydon, near Harlow, early on Saturday.

Police said a post-mortem examination had shown that Mr Lubbock died from drowning, but further tests were being carried out. They are keeping an open mind about his death, said a spokesman.

Neighbours said Mr Lubbock lived with his father and brother in Great Brays, Harlow. Doreen Crouch, 45, who lives in the same street, said he had a daughter aged about two and had recently split up with his girlfriend.

"I am shocked to hear that it is Stuart," said Mrs Crouch.

"I wouldn't have thought he would have known Michael Barrymore."

Mr Lubbock was found a few hours after Mr Barrymore and three other people returned in a cab from the Millennium nightclub in Harlow.

A friend of Mr Lubbock's, said she saw him a few weeks ago at the club. "He was quite drunk," she said.

Meanwhile, police were continuing their investigations at Mr Barrymore's house and took away a large green bin on a low-loader.

The star, who is staying with friends, is "deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy", said his agent.