Michael Barrymore decided to dramatically reset his life this year: moving out of London and reinventing himself professionally as a TIkTok influencer.

But four months on from his relocation to Devon and his big push into becoming a digital content creator, it looks like things may be unravelling for the man who was Britain’s biggest TV star before a wild party sabotaged his career.

A number of his new neighbours are protesting at being featured in his social media videos, the Daily Mail has learned – which could undermine his money-making plans.

But perhaps more concerning for the one-time ITV presenter, it seems his new social media followers are discovering the details of the scandal that ruined him – and have begun trolling him over it.

Barrymore has been practically unemployable for 25 years since the body of a man was found face down in his swimming pool with injuries consistent with sexual assault. No one has ever been charged and Barrymore has always denied involvement. 

The comedian-presenter had hoped to finally draw a line under the scandal by broadcasting to a new audience.

He began posting self-made videos – often several per day – showing his new life in the West Country, visiting farm shops and bakeries, and taking his beloved whippet Lara for walks on the beach.

As well as being followed around by his own cameraman, the star often wears ‘smart glasses’ during interactions, which contain a small in-built camera that films whatever he looks at.

Four months on from his relocation to Devon and his big push into becoming a digital content creator, it looks like things may be unravelling for Michael Barrymore (pictured)

A number of his new neighbours in the town of Kingsbridge (pictured, file photo) are protesting at being featured in his social media videos, the Daily Mail has learned – which could undermine his money-making plans

But perhaps more concerning for the one-time ITV presenter, it seems his new social media followers are discovering the details of the scandal that ruined him – and have begun trolling him over it. Pictured: Barrymore on ITV chat show This Morning in 2023 

Much of Barrymore’s content features conversations with shop staff on his ‘munchie runs’ – a term closely associated with intense hunger or cravings following cannabis use. He also regularly takes part in TikTok trends. He has even filmed interactions with fans including children who approach him.

The good-natured if mundane interactions have been viewed by millions of people – earning Barrymore substantial cash through the TikTok ‘creator fund’

But now, some shop workers in the town have told the Daily Mail they are fed up of being filmed without their consent.

One Kingsbridge shop owner who has met the star several times said: ‘He came in here with a guy filming him expecting us to be blown away by his presence but that’s really not what Kingsbridge is about.

‘I said he could film himself but not me – and he grumpily stopped, paid and left.

‘I try not to look at his videos because if you do, you get sent loads more of it so I don’t know if I ever appeared. I don’t really care.

‘But there’s something about him that seems really fake, I just think get on with your life love.

‘You’re never getting that stardom back and bothering shopkeepers in Kingsbridge looking like your clothes don’t fit.’

Paula White, owner of Frankies, a creative craft shop on the high street, said: ‘He is very open and has made a point of encouraging people to approach him which is the opposite of how many celebrities are.

‘But I think some shopkeepers do find the social media stuff a bit much but didn’t feel they could say, “Don’t film me”.’

Although the content that Barrymore posts featuring shop workers is always good natured, media experts have pointed out that it’s not always acceptable to film and post images of people without their knowledge or consent.

And many around Kingsbridge are now aware of this guidance, which could substantially inhibit Barrymore’s plans.

But arguably even more concerning for him is the resurgence of interest in his notoriety.

Barrymore’s TikTok reinvention was particularly astonishing after his spectacular fall from grace following the events at an infamous party at his Essex mansion 25 years ago.

At his peak in the 1990s, Barrymore was one of the best paid TV stars, earning £2million per year for shows like Strike It Lucky and My Kind of People.

But his TV career abruptly ended when father-of-two Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found floating face down in the pool of Barrymore’s Essex home in the early hours of March 31, 2001, with cocaine and ecstasy in his bloodstream, and internal injuries consistent with a serious sexual assault. He died later in hospital.

At his peak in the 1990s, Barrymore (pictured in 1995) was one of the best paid TV stars, earning £2million per year for shows like Strike It Lucky and My Kind of People

But his TV career abruptly ended when father-of-two Stuart Lubbock (pictured with his former wife Susan Homan), 31, was found floating face down in the pool of Barrymore’s Essex home in the early hours of March 31, 2001 

In TikTok he found a brand new audience – 56 per cent of platform users are aged 24 or under. But he now appears to be struggling to keep the two worlds apart 

In TikTok he found a brand new audience – 56 per cent of platform users are aged 24 or under.

But he now appears to be struggling to keep the two worlds apart and he has recently had to report other TikTok accounts to the Metropolitan Police and taken on solicitors to go after people blaming him for Mr Lubbock’s death.

In an emotional video last month, he blasted ‘misinformation’ surrounding the long-running case.

‘There’s been a lot of misinformation about the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock, and I simply cannot allow it to carry on,’ Barrymore said.

The entertainer claimed a TikTok account discussing the case had accused him of numerous unrelated allegations, including abusing his former wife and being friends with disgraced broadcaster Jimmy Savile.

‘I never did,’ Barrymore said of the domestic abuse claims.

‘Please, absolutely not. I never have been in my life,’ he added, regarding allegations he was friends with Savile.

Referring to one specific account, he says: ‘It’s just clearly that this individual doesn’t give a f*** about Stuart Lubbock.

‘It’s all me in the thumbnails, my face, pointing fingers, question marks, and making the whole story so it’s just one sided.’

Barrymore went on to repeat his long-standing and consistent denial that he had any involvement in Lubbock’s death.

‘There is no evidence that connects me or anybody else at my house to the death of Stuart Lubbock, and there never will be, because it’s fictional and it’s made up,’ he said.

Another side effect of Barrymore’s endless content mill about his life is his address has become widely known leading obsessed fans who turn up at his doorstep in the hope of meeting the star.

Since moving in late February, he has posted dozens of videos on TikTok and YouTube showing exactly where he lives.

Within a day of moving, Barrymore posted a ‘house tour’ video clearly showing the front of his two-bed bungalow. In the days that followed, he revealed not just the town but the street he lives on.

He even joked: ‘I’m sure it won’t take long to get round exactly where I am but if you see me around, come and say hello.’

Days after moving into the two-bed bungalow in Kingsbridge, Devon, Barrymore posted a video with a dozen children in uniforms from a nearby school joking ‘all the kids in the neighbourhood found out where I live and they all showed up on my driveway’.

Now, four months on, it’s hard to know whether he regrets those words – or the dozens of other videos identifying the house – as fans have travelled across the country to knock on his door.

In one excruciatingly awkward encounter last week, a YouTuber who calls himself the Yorkshire Scouser turned up at the home believing a mutual friend had arranged the visit.

Barrymore – clearly not expecting him – looked increasingly uncomfortable and fearful as the man performed a puppet show for him then handed over a bottle of water, a packet of Walnut Whips and a handwritten letter.

The video – which Barrymore posted and presumably earned cash from – prompted concerns from fans with one saying: ‘Jokes aside, how does anyone think it’s normal behaviour to visit someone’s home like that?’

Another said: ‘Please install a gate and security system to keep yourself safe.

‘You handled this with so much care but please be safe, you need gates or something that require a card to get in! You’re so loved, and we want you safe!’

It’s not the first strange encounter – Barrymore has posted several other videos of strangers turning up uninvited to deliver him food packages.

All his posts are monetised and Barrymore seems more than willing to share his discomfort. TikTok pays ‘creators’ roughly $0.4 (30p) to $1 (75p) per 1,000 views which works out at between $400 (£300) and $1,000 (£750) per million views. But videos have to be longer than a minute to qualify.