Barrymore appals TV chiefs

New Zealand-based entertainer Michael Barrymore has been roundly slammed for his comeback performance on Celebrity Big Brother.

The fallen star, an outcast since the body of a male guest, Stuart Lubbock, was found floating in Barrymore's pool, has returned to Britain for the first time in four years.

The Mirror reported TV chiefs had accused Barrymore of cynically playing up to the cameras in a bid to win back fans.

His antics on camera left bosses cringing so much they axed the scenes from the highlights show, the newspaper said.

Barrymore got out of bed to talk to a cactus, sang silly songs, talked gibberish to himself and pulled faces.

The Sun said Barrymore had sparked fears he was losing it as he tried to gouge out the eyes of the Queen's portrait with a lemon squeezer.

Mr Lubbock's father, Terry, told the Mirror it was "pathetic" to see Barrymore playing to the crowd.

"It was a desperate attempt to revive his non-existent career. But I hope people remember why it hit the skids."

- NZPA